The impenetrable veil thins
the veil that keeps us hidden
From the truths
Spirits walk amongst us
on All Hallow's Eve
Little pumpkins light the way
Their knowing smiles
Hid by sneers, and big toothy grins
Even the southern air feels strange
The thinning of the veil
Turning into a brisk cool day
Leaves changing autumn colors
As they race to their own demise
Crumpled by the small feet of children
Playing, throwing leaves.
Red-veined leaves
Laying on altar, each for a loved one
Lost over the past year. Lovingly picked
To sit in this place of familial honor
Knowing their embraces are plenty
to fear the thinning of the veil
Is to deny the cycle of life and death
and end and beginning just as the seasons.
Firewood perfumes the air;
oak, cedar, and those of pine..
billowing smoke from
chimney tops look as if a train is coming down the tracks..
these woodsy smells fill the air with that welcome home feeling..
that filled you with
excitement as a child, now
transports you back
to a simpler time, not noticing
the grimace on our parent's face
at the end of the night of stopping,
getting the two of us out,
walking us to the front doors,
reminding us of what to say,
"Trick or Treat" with a great big smile
showing through the mask on our faces
and always before leaving a,
"Thank you'" must be raised by our little voices, ready to eat
Halloween candy... but still an obstacle in our way..
"All treat must be checked before a single piece may be eaten."
Mother loved to remind us.
always happy to find ourselves at our great grandparents..
their candy, of course, was safe.
but “Remember to be a lady
and don't take more than you should."
We knew what that meant..
so we grabbed three a piece.. but Granny
always had something special waiting
sweet caramel apples,
roasted pumpkin seeds,
and foamy hot chocolate… hmm..
delicious. Grandma making
sure we didn't spoil our costumes.
the house decorated,
ready for trick or treaters of her own,
my grandmother stayed behind
handing treats to the few childish
haunts that ever showed up to the spider
webbed porch with real
looking spiders and bats
swooping by a window.. two sneaky
smiling pumpkins glared their scary
grins casting doubting light across the dark lawn.
No one was offended by decorations or costumes.
Everything in good fun on this candy
collecting spooky night.. even the Freddy
Krueger jumping out at us kids,
taking chase, scaring both my sister and me.
but afterward laughing at my stupidity
I bravely walked up to my worst
nightmare and he gave me snickers and milky way!!
How cool??
My childhood Halloween's
of school fall festivals and trick
or treating are those of my favorite.
Haunted houses,
Corn mazes,
and ghost tours, the way I spent my teens..
chasing every haunted legend of my Bible Belt town..
loved a spirit board seance.. shadowed dark,
just white candles spitting light..
but beware the questions you ask it
for the answers may be too much for you to bare.
Yet still, I knew that something
else was there.. a spiritual beginning,
a time of self-renewal as All Hallow’s Eve approached,
nature hikes to take in Mother
Nature's glorious self.. burnished
gold and coppery reds shine
and glimmer in the bright autumn sun,
the leaves before they die, transform
into a colorful army holding on
to hope to battle Jack Frost's wintery blow...
the birds chirp playfully,
squirrels scavenge for pecans,
hoping to be the first one to the tree,
yet a chattering fight entails.
taking a moment to enjoy the last bloom
of the season, as it bursts open,
velvet petals, wanting to see the golden autumn.
Not glaring like summer, but like
looking through an amber glass,
giving the moment welcoming warmth, not stifling heat
a few acorns in my small pocket
and the blessings of the feathers left behind..
