The Witch's Gift

The witch was at it, brewing
something evil in a big black can
Ingredients you wouldn't stomach:

Black cat and fingernails,
toad brains and potent licorice.
All natural as you might guess

In a three bedroom ranch
on the corner of Acre and Sunset
and you and your friend

can't imagine what's in her cauldron
but there's candy about and you have to stop.
Even if the entire front yard smells like rot,

and there's a darker smell from the door.
Smells like old musty clothes but you go on
to the porch under the light and knock on the door

"Yes, my Dearies?" the witch says
to you and your best bud as she looks at you.
"Trick-or-treat" you say, too loudly, almost

a nervous yell. Your friend keeps on
"Smell your feet, give me something good
to eat" and you nudge him with your elbow.

Green cat's eyes stare down at you from
beneath a black-brimmed hat, pointed
green face but you know that's not paint.

"Can I have some candy please?" you
ask without a second more to spare.
The witch brings two items back to the door.

"Here you go," she says
and hands each of you a small
closed bag, impossible to open

until you're at home and have
Dad's pliers. Each bag is six inches by eight-
feels like a spider cage

but you don't dare to ask as you turn to leave
hardly wanting to turn your back on her
but you must. "Don't you want to know what it is?"

she asks with a touch of hurt on her black
lips. "We'll pass," your friend says
And she eyes him carefully.

And you ask, against better judgment,
remembering what she had given you
last year, something you'd never eat.

"A rejuvenator I cooked up yesterday,"
she says. "It'll last a lifetime, grind it up
and put it in your meat when you're old like me.

And in the morning you'll be a young man again,
both of you." You hurry away.
At the corner of Acre and Bakersfield

your friend tosses his away and says "Too heavy to carry."
You keep yours, though, and pick up his
and at home you put them away.

And three miles away at the witch's
home she is busy in her kitchen
baking and boiling and steaming

next year's concoction. Making less than
the year before as she has done
each year as less children show

because her gifts kind of stink
though they get better, she thinks only
one person will come next Halloween.

So she's begun her treat already
intending to make just one.
Maybe another one for you