Halloween, 2006

Two daughters,

The younger a pirate,
The older a witch,

Together,

And yet their own,

So much their own,

Scurry up the walkway,

Little voices announcing,

“Trick or Treat.” 

Mine. Ours. Theirs.

Moments. Days. Years.

The time ticks — or tricks.

Tonight’s rare, mild wind blows.

Clouds creep across a half moon.

You watch from the curb, 

Knowing, suddenly and sadly,
They are not yours to keep.

One is six, the other is nine.

They’re filling their bags
One house at a time.