The Halloween Party
Outside, the wind whistles through dead branches.
An owl hoots a ghostly sound.
The boards of the aging verandah creek eerily,
as though Time itself were creeping on tiptoe toward the door,
squeaking on rusty hinges.
Laughter fills the room as children’s voices squeal
in delight.
Muffled shouts gurgle happily
as apples crackle under groping teeth
in a tub of water.
No-one notices the crimson fingers
scraping at the window pane.