My Lonely Tootsie Roll

[Lightning Rod]

I bought a tootsie roll
just a small one remember?
they used to cost a penny
before the death of halloween
now they are a quarter

but I wanted to have something
just in case a forlorn goblin stumbled in
to my gated community
blew like a phantom past the guards
and made it to my door
I wanted to have something to show

I remember trick or treat
sacks of kids and jack o lantern nights
we would wander miles
gather sacks of candy apples
popcorn balls and random mischief
late into the eve unsupervised

that was before 9/11
before terrorist razor fear
poison in your tootsie roll
don't eat it unless it's wrapped
and leave the wrapper on

now there are no more trick or treaters
halloween was slain by fear
same as freedom
my tootsie roll is still
waiting by the door

[goldenmyst]

A eulogy for a dying tradition. May it one day be so again.

John

[hester_prynne]

Indeed, this is sad, but true and perfectly expressed. I like tootsie rolls too, always have despite the fact they stick to my teeth and make them ache.
Nice sentiment here...nicely done.
H