“
I’m sorry,” said the kitty.
“I’ve wrecked your broomstick ride.”
“No matter,” said Witch Mildred.
“We’re here. Let’s go inside!”
The clock atop the castle
read twenty after eight,
but the promised buffet table
held only emptied plates!
“No eye or newt? No sautéed slug?
No pickleworm pate?
No casserole of cockroach!
No spiderweb soufflé!
Those greedy gobbling goblins
left zilch for us to eat.”
Said the starving skeleton,
“Why don’t we trick-or-treat?”
They passed a lighted cottage,
from which rose song and laughter.
The mummy boldly rang the bell,
All others traipsing after.
The children squealed and giggled
as they greeted their new guests,
for of all the trick-or-treaters,
these costumes were the best!
The hostess asked the callers
to join them at their party.
“Check out this spread!” the mummy said.
The hostess said, “Eat hearty.”
“Taffy apples! Candy corn!
Purple punch, ice-cold!
My tongue’s not touched such tastiness
since I was six years old!”
In the corner of the kitchen
Witch Mildred found a mop.
“I think this will do nicely
while my broom is in the shop.”
“May I, please?” asked Mildred,
and seated her new friends.
With a loud “Thank you!” away they flew,
in loopy swoops and bends.
That night Witch Mildred dreamed
of cakes and lemonade,
but far more sweet than party treats were the friendships she had made!
”
”