Halloween Blows In
It’s an hour past sunset and I’m in the front yard. A lively breeze pops the flags hanging from the Spook1 Weather Station.
In my mind, it’s the sound of a witch’s cloak flapping in the breeze. She’s slowly circling at about 40 feet up, curious. What is this human up to?
I’m balancing on top of a step ladder with 20 pounds of angry Grumble trying earnestly to flip me over backwards. Lashing him to the tree wasn’t too difficult, but blood was drawn.
I attach his right arm without much fuss – the pumpkin equivalent of attempting to put a shirt on a writhing, tight-fisted two-year-old. I only drop it twice. He chuckles. I move the ladder to the other side and climb up. It’s unstable here. Roots, I guess.
From this angle, I have to lean back. Too far, really, but it’s the only spot for the ladder. Slide his arm into the sleeve. Carefully wrap the rope around. Balance. Careful. Slowly. Pull the knot tight. Yaaaaaaarggh! Flip! Crash!
Chuckle.
Sometimes one must lie flat on one’s back in the cool grass and spend a few moments earnestly taking stock of his situation to truly appreciate the gifts that he has been given. Arms and legs are still attached. Fingers work. Nothing has ventured into new exotic locations or angles.
Earth and sky appear to have righted themselves with me somewhere in the middle. A deep sigh of relief resolves into a pleasant glow. Odd. This is the first time I’ve felt relaxed in days. Bruised, maybe, and my left shin is pulsing in cadence with my heartbeat, but I’m okay. Calm. Safe. The night begins to unfold around me.
An owl hoots from deep in the woods behind the house. Leaves scratch and rush along the driveway. I follow the sound of them. Down the road and around the lane, off on some adventure.
I’m at the edge of a small pool of orange Grumble light. He glares menacingly into the night, focused intently on the horizon. I wonder if I would feel differently right now if he were staring as intently at me.
Movement above catches my attention. High up in the branches. Dizzyingly high. As high as trees go, where their tops sway and bend. A realm whose visitors have either wings or brooms. Way up there a chorus sings. Autumn music in the silver light of a million million stars. For a moment I’m swept up in the beauty.
Halloween blows in and ten thousand leaves cascade down from the sky.
Back on the ground, flat on my back, I smile. The Grumble smiles. A witch’s cloak pops in the wind.
