Little spirits, brave and true.

We knew it was coming.
We could see all the signs.

There were ships filled with pirates
adrift on the lawns.

And pumpkins,
and bats..
on everyone's porches.

As it got dark,  then pumpkins appeared,
with sinister faces and strangeness... and leered
at the children reminding them well,
that now was the time
for a Halloween spell.

At last darkness came,
And when, with eager, bated breath,
They shouted "Now?".
"Not yet.", we said.
And, Oh the waiting was so hard.. for some.

Others weren't so sure. The older ones were jaded men.
Wishing more for being costume free and then...

The magic night did work its spell...

 And all the men were ready.
Both SWAT and NINJA faced the night,
To battle fear and steel their nerve,
To brave the unknown, beasts of fright.

 Willing to face the tradition...
With thoughts of bountiful bags of loot.
 Braving the wilds of suburbia..
(As soon as the shoes and socks were on.)

Off they went with Dad in toe,
A "knight", to battle many foe.
To  challenge goblins, keep witches at bay
and clears the dragon "right of way".

 Mom and Noni settled in.
 Ready... as the night,
to see the faces,
hear smalls voices...
( To laugh when a two year old grabs all the neon bracelets with both hands,
  and one just stands there not knowing what to say.. )

A basket of glowing goodies, waiting with joy
For each brave, young girl and boy.
A basket of treats for only the asking
A night of openness, trusting... and ghosts...
Basking in  years of memories. Ghosts...
waiting for their child to return,
With their favorite... a BABE RUTH...

And they came back....

From their plunderers quest...
To consider what fears they had conquered.

To tell of adventures to distant land.
To sit in familiar laps
and talk of raids and bounty.
To laugh...
And feel safe after the great adventure.
On their well lit porch.

 One wonderful night a year when puppies wear glowing jewelry
and don't bark because they are a part of the whole.
Excitement prevails and life is secure.
When nighttime is not quite so scary
and you can stay outside later,
watching everyone and shouting..,
"Hey Noni, Come and look at the moon. It's getting bigger."
And all the world is a wonderful, mysterious place .

Oh yes, it was a wondrous eve.
Sweet friends, the spirits come anew.
Life is long and sometimes weary.
Believe in all things bright and clear..
Walk the nights of bleary vision,
 As a child, brave and true.
Life is trusting,  hoping.. seeing.
This is what I wish for you.