Twas the Evening of Samhain
by Cather Steincamp
'Twas the evening of Samhain, and
all through the place
were pagans preparing the ritual space.
The candles were set in the
corners with care,
in hopes that the Watchtowers soon
would be there.
We all had our robes on (as is habitual)
and had just settled down and were
starting our ritual
when out on the porch there arose
such a chorus
that we went to the door, and
waiting there for us
were children in costumes of
various kinds
with visions of chocolate bright
in their minds.
In all of our workings, we'd
almost forgot,
but we had purchased candy (we'd
purchased a LOT),
And so, as they flocked from all
over the street,
they all got some chocolate or
something else sweet.
We didn't think twice of delaying
our rite,
Kids just don't have this much fun
every night.
For hours they came, with the
time-honored schtick
of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.
As is proper, the parents were
there for the games,
Watching the children and calling
their names.
"On Vader, On Leia,
On Dexter and DeeDee,
On Xena, on Buffy,
Casper and Tweety!
To the block of apartments
on the neighboring road;
You'll get so much candy,
you'll have to be TOWED!"
The volume of children eventually dropped,
and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.
But as we prepared to return to
our rite,
One child more stepped out of the night.
She couldn't have been more than
twelve or thirteen.
Her hair was deep red, and her
robe, forest green
with a simple gold cord tying off
at the waist.
She'd a staff in her hand
and a smile on her face.
No make-up, nor mask, or
accompanying kitsch,
so we asked who she was; she
replied "I'm a witch.
And no, I don't fly through the
sky on my broom;
I only use that thing for cleaning
my room.
My magical powers aren't really
that neat,
but I won't threaten tricks; I'll
just ask for a treat."
We found it refreshing, so we gave
incense cones,
A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,
And the rest of the candy (which
might fill a van).
She turned to her father (a man
dressed as Pan)
and laughed, "Yes, I know,
Dad, it's past time for bed,"
and started to leave, but she
first turned and said
"I'm sorry for further
delaying your rite.
Blessed Samhain to all, and a
magical night."
Copyright (c) 1999 by Cather Steincamp
