October

The full coffee shop smelled sweet, like pumpkin spice …

Fake spider webs in the corners – adorned with black widows,

Dark skies, crescent moon, a cool breeze, chilly … yet nice …

At a distance, heat lightning flickered outside the windows.

He purchased a latte, paid with cash …

Picked it up … in his right hand,

A clink of the mug … uh oh, a clash!

On its way down … where would it land?

Oh no! … don’t break!

He thought as it fell,

Embarrassed, a prayer, for goodness sake,

A story to tell …

Like a lightning bolt, a stranger reached out …

A moment from the floor,

Nonchalant … with both hands, it balanced about …

A small splash, nothing more …

He thanked the stranger, then wiped up the splash …

"No problem," she said … "safe and sound."

Then he turned around … to throw away the trash …

Upon turning back – she was nowhere to be found.

Thunder rolled in the distance,

He glanced all around,

Awe-struck, he continued on his way,

He was October-bound.

October opened last year…

Fall offerings year-round, a foodies' delight,

Fresh candy, sweet treats, moments of fear…

A restaurant only open in the dead of night.

Two miles up the road,

Off course, of course,

He had a hand-drawn map,

But nothing more.

A dirt road, turned gravel,

Must be around the bend …

Light in the distance,

A beginning, or an end?

On a hilltop, eight windows – it looked like a house,

Approaching October, he didn’t hide,

(He jumped – a mouse!)

Candlelight adorned the inside.

A living room with a bar,

A chandelier so chic,

Old wooden tables ...

A sign on the wall – ‘Hide or Seek.’

He turned a corner, Old Fashioned in hand,

A silhouette, familiar … the stranger …

Aglow from the candle stand …

Stars behind her, a sign on the wall – ‘Beware of Danger ’