Night Creatures

Children in their sweet naivete;

and adults who've retained such childish innocence

delight in the wonders that enter with Autumn.

They dive deep into massifs of leaves and small limbs,

demolishing peaks gathered from shedding trees,

and breathe deeply the air that's crisp and fresh…

relishing its chill after the cloying heat of Summer.

Beyond the captivating seasonal scene…

They eagerly await the day they can pretend to become

something that's quite 'other'.

On that cross-quarter day known as Halloween,

they don costumes of witches and goblins

and walk the streets sharing tales no longer frightening.

Their garb, combined with endearing smiles,

earns them plentiful treats from equally childminded donors.

Ah, yes, the innocence.

Little are they aware that the stories are real,

as are the creatures from which tales were written.

The covens are gathering, busily brewing their brew

to rain down plague, disasters, and dissension.

The goblins are mightily spreading their mischief,

and vampires descending on those least expecting,

draining the life from their victims.

And they're not alone in their quest for dominion.

Under ominous full moon shadows, werewolves howl,

uniting with hellhounds to fashion a reign of terror.

Chimeras delight in breathing their infernal fire,

incinerating unsuspecting prey venturing into their territory.

Demons and beasts of all sizes and sorts prowl the earth,

hunting for innocents and all malleable quarry

to aid them in hell's bid for destruction.

A warning for both the gullible and the wise:

While many enchantments await in October,

Fall air, pretty colors, good eats, and festivity,

come the last of the month, on Halloween night,

the veil dividing dimensions thins to transparency

allowing nightmares their long-anticipated escape

to torment and torture and rain evil and death

upon all they encounter, children and grown-ups alike.

Enjoy what you can, but prepare for a reckoning from creatures that hail from the night.