Here's To The Candy Corn

october winds have gathered
the moon is on the trail
the children go ghost sheeted

and the branches scratching wail.
our hearts were high for candies
the risk we didn't mind.

when folks latched up their shutters
and swiftly shut the blinds.
we knew they owed us greatly

at the turning of the year
like pirates out for treasure
with foil wrapped cutlass, spear

tiaras in the daylight grew paler in the shade
and we were ghosts of princesses
who wandered dale by dale.

we prayed for chocolate kisses
three muskateers and more
we prayed and prayed on Sundays

for pounds of candy corn.
how well can I remember
the plunder that we made

rejoicing over chocolate
over licorice, dismayed.
how simple then to gather

from neighbors of good will
a cup of apple cider, a brownie
what a thrill.

or caramel covered apple
a ghostly tale or two
and then to plunge through darkness

to safer shores we knew.

mary angela douglas 4 october 2018