A Heavy Burden
written by: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
I was nine and she was five,
When they let us out to hunt alone;
With pillowcases at our sides,
From door to door we roamed.
With scratchy masks upon our faces,
We scary monsters sang,
“trick-or-treat,” as we paced,
With our expectant band.
Each door brought smiling grown-ups,
With bowls of yummy treats,
Tootsie-rolls and lollipops,
Cookies, popcorn balls and sweets.
After each haul we stopped,
To dip into the bag,
To search for prized chocolates,
Stashed within our relished swag.
Our friends’ voices were far ahead,
We could no longer catch them now.
So we ran between the porch lights,
While thick fog snaked in below.
As we’d seen too many costumes,
Of skeletons, ghouls and ghosts,
Dark shadows seemed to loom,
As distorted bodies from fence posts.
Since I was the older sister,
I was supposed to be more brave,
But as the fog grew denser,
I could feel my courage cave.
At last a familiar landmark,
Our faithful clanging playmate,
The chain-swing in our corner park,
Welcomed us though it was late.
My hand became more steady,
As I led my sister home.
I was again most ready,
To be the responsible one.
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