Trick or Treat

TRICK OR TREAT

Mask worn away from home, I am a warrior woman shielded—fighting pandemic.

Don rubber gloves, holding gas pump nozzle—payment at a sneeze guard screen.

Rules to live by: mask up, wash hands, keep a distance—caution is not a gimmick.

A masked volcano of hot air, foggy glasses in the battle of the germy unseen.

Wiped, buffed, polished, and shiny—old glasses glisten clear, looking vintage hip.

Magical changing season, leafy trees turn yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.

Memories replay a long-ago time, ride out of town—pumpkin patch picking trip,

select a perfect shape to carve a witch, princess, or pirate, maybe even a clown.

Cotton candy, no. Fair closed. New sweet candy bar dream—Halloween.

Pocket of coins, jingle jangle walk—enter in a smirking pumpkin decorated door.

Cute or spooky—which masked getup charms, enticing extra tasty treats?

Five and Ten Cent aisle—Halloween life-like rubbery mask—scary oddities store.

Planning, plotting, playing—one-night unique community marching masquerade.

“Trick or treat,” chorus after doorbell rings. Okay to take candy from strangers!

Sunset ushered creepy, crawly shadows—a masked serpentine sidewalk parade.

Nightfall, decoration lit, Halloween disguise—boo, hiss, scream—tricky dangers.

Sweets dropped in bag—treat treasure, prized gems. Doors open, creakily close.

Walking through papery leaves rustling, a seasonal music, highlighting Halloween.

Mixing misty breath, icy air—rubber mask dewdrops—taste like a summer lawn hose.

Science says, “mask up.” My cloaked trick-or-treat smile is old…and new.

April Ryan: Poet, ex-Seattle bus driver, lover of candy, wearer of masks.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.