For one night,
this country looks different…
Pumpkins deck doorways,
skeletons adorn front yards,
orange lights glow.
Little princesses, ninjas,
sports stars and singers parade
the sidewalks, parents in tow.
We open our doors,
greet our neighbors’ children,
offer them Twizzlers and Twix,
Snickers and Sour Patch Kids,
pretzels, popcorn, fruit snacks and more.
We say, “Wow, look at that costume!”
“Happy Halloween!”
“Here, have a treat!’
What we mean is,
*I see you.*
*You are welcome here.*
*Take and eat.*
This is a night when
children are cherished.
And I wonder,
what would happen if we
held on to our Halloween spirit?
How would the world change
if we opened our doors
— and shared — more often?
Erin Strybis 