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..