"TRICK OR TREAT?"

“Trick or treat!” squealed all the children, excitement filled the air

They were trawling up and down the streets as if they had no care

Painted faces; random costumes: Silly; scary: mad

Their faces filled with happiness; sweets aplenty; feeling glad

As the night trawled on, faces dimmed; children getting tired

“Just one last house” the pumpkin yelled; a determination to be admired!

This house it was a ramshackled place, had a scruffy and dirty front porch

The witch gave a shove to the pumpkin; and the wizard he got out his torch

“I’m not knocking” declared the flushed pumpkin, his keen was beginning to wane

But the witch she remained insistent and the wizard wanted his gains

So they jostled and pushed, not wanting to knock

Their fears were now mounting, it was past 10 o’clock

Their parents would worry cos they should have been home

A darkness was looming:  Why did they roam?

They stood there for what seemed like hours, tension it now filled the air

And as the door it creaked open they were relieved by what they saw there

An old lady; a bit like a grandma was staring at them with a smile

“Oh what wonderful costumes! Why don’t you come in for a while?”

Now knowing that they had to go but not wanting to sound very rude

The Pumpkin backed off from the porch, “We couldn’t possibly intrude!”

“The sweets are in the kitchen, and my legs are oh so slow.  Come in and you can take the lot!” Well!  The wizard wasn’t going to say no!

So they stepped into the house but the smell it made them heave

A stench of something rotting;  now they had to take their leave

Their Mums they would be anxious, why did they listen to their greed

The treats they had were plentiful, a few more sweets they did not need

But follow her they did, into the kitchen past the drawers

Filled with lots of pickle jars; the contents made them pause

Looking at each other, unease now filled the room

Dead creatures swam in pickle juice; all three faces filled with gloom

What was this woman doing with such a horrid, sordid stash

Scared; they ran back through the room; it all happened in a flash

But the door it was now bolted, a hooded figure stood in its way

Imposing in its presence, “Please don’t leave I’d like you to stay!”

This old lady she was crazy! The figure loomed closer still

All three of them frozen in fear!  In the air an icy cold chill

The fear was oh so real and the children shook without control

But the little old lady was thrilled with this, her mind was on a roll

“Oh how I love Halloween!” declared the lady with a smile

"Brings out all the little ones!" The pumpkin’s mouth it filled with bile

“Trick or treat!” the old witch yelped, with an eerie childish squeak

“Trick... I think!” she cackled, "in my cellar you must peek!"

Wizard and witch were now both ashen, the pumpkin ill with fear

Backing into a corner, the figure of doom came closer; near

Near to where their bodies would lie; where they’d be carried down the stairs

Of her creaky cellar steps to be kept with her other wares

This woman was a hoarder of the most horrific kind

She loved to collect on Halloween.....childish treats I’ll think you’ll find!