glow
in

the

dark

bones
on black
fabric.

moonlight
mixed with
yellow flashlight beams
bouncing like
little

lanterns.

children's laughter
alternating with
shrieks and screams

carried by the
chilling
night breeze,

slowly rotting
pumpkins and
flickering candles.

throaty cackles
from tired old speakers
and tattered ghosts
flutter in the trees
like
toilet paper.

the smell of
freedom

danger

magic


in the air;

ignore the sore feet
and
icy fingers
for just
one

more

house.

and when
the hunt
ends
and you sit
still bright-eyed

with excitement
gorging on your
newfound

sugary treasure,

you wonder
if
this is the only taste
you will
ever

have

of

magic.