OctPoWriMo--Day 31 Day of the Dead

Here we are day 31...and its one of my favorite days of the year. Call it Halloween, Call it Samhain, Call it Eve of All Saints, Call it Day of the Dead, this marking of the end of harvests, the commeration of the dead and the looking towards winter has always been a favorite time

Day of the Dead

We shall work all day
Preparing the feast
Making sure their are enough chairs,
Enough to eat.

We shall bake the turkey and dressing
For it is harvest's end and we are most thankful.
And we shall mull the cider
Cook the beans and potatoes.
Crank the ice cream.
And our friend the baker shall bring the bread.

We shall set the extra place
And fill it first from all the foods.
And light the candles
To welcome all the loved ones
Who might wish to joing us.

Though sometimes we forget
They really never are that far away.

And so tonight we honor them.

OctPoWriMo day 29 Trick or Treat

The trick part is pretty well gone now....
Authorities take a dimmer view
of criminal mischief these days.

There are the rituals and rules still though.
If you are too old to get dressed up you are too old for the candy.
You must say "trick or treat" before and "thank you" after the candy hits your bag.
Let the little kids come back down before you go pushing up the steps."
Don't get into the candy before your mom checks it (there's nothing wrong with it, but it keeps you from eating it all till you get home.)
And then you all spread the loot out on the floor and trade,
Arguing the relative merits of Tootsie Rolls and Reese's Cups

Much has changed, still something essential remains...
There are so few traditions left from generation to generation,
Its good to have a night of make-believe and chocolate.