All Hallows Eve

Inside a favorite nightmare
remains this childhood quest...

a piece of candy corn
sweet with the knowledge of escape

Dressing up in our scariest masks
we trick or treat in earnest

Asking each demon who answers our knock
for this precious morsel of relief

We check our bags,
desperate,
all confections falling at our feet

But empty of this silly notion we remain

If we were to feast on this shy treat
would we be sheltered from fear?

Would the dead then come to our
house for Sunday dinner?