Halloween 2024

They come early
to start the stream
that flows past our house
and up the street
about 6:00 p.m.
when it’s just getting dark
until 9:00 when it’s really
dark and feels late
the little ones come first
always adorable no matter
what costumes and
even carried by parents
when they’re too young to walk
babies in arms
little tigers or kittens
or bears
little hands reaching
for the candy
we had two bowls
“one from this bowl
one from that
your choice”
and sometimes
another candy
for the parents
who say
“Thank you so much”
for being not left out
or
“I share theirs”
I say
“Like taking candy from a baby?”
and we laugh together
and just a little older ones
toddling up
wearing costumes chosen
by the parents
the kids too young to know
who they’re supposed to be
the parents standing back
letting their children
encounter the world
and then the slightly
older ones in school
some years pirates
and princesses and
movie characters depending
on the current vogue
old enough to explain
who they represent
the Jedi Knight
his light saber
turned on for us
we tell him pose
he reaches up
a hero iconic
we applaud he bows
pleased by recognition
the age of fifth graders
I taught for years
and could teach again
everything there is to know
and how to read and think
and kids who never met before
costumes sometimes relating
and patient with each other
waiting in the same line
for their turn
at the candy
sometimes doing a little dance
to show off the costume
and the character it portrays
and to thank us for the candy
and then the subtle shift
as the night advances
the older kids come out
with costumes they’ve chosen
or assembled themselves
so pleased when you know
who they’re supposed to be
so grateful for the candy
when they’re allowed
to take two
I taught them in high school
and want to again
so many this year
dressed as Dodgers and
the World Series already
won again
they talk about the scandalous
audience grab of the ball
from the mitt that caught it
they should be in jail
all those who interfere
with a legal win
and the hope of the future
in costumes of choice
come to our house
and we share the moment
and then about 9:00 o’clock
up and down the street
people shutting down the candy
turning off the lights
we walk up the street
to see what we missed
now mostly too late
we missed it again
except a very few
still packing up
and the very last group
of trick or treaters chanting
“trick or treat”
obviously not knowing
what that means
one of the four a short
amorphous blob
I say “Is there a person
under there?”
and I hear
a girlish giggle
and one family up across the street
“Oh, you’re neighbors? Hello.
We see your house.”
and we come back to our pumpkins
masterfully carved
the candles inside still glowing
we replay the evening
the endless parade
of eager children in costumes
I love them all again