What lies deeper, under the holiday fun and games?

By Peter Melton

Every year in the fall, there happens quite a scene, 

a day I can be whatever I want, a day called Halloween. 

I dream up some great costume, anything from A to Z,

the hardest part is just choosing, what do I want to be? 

For on this very special day, I can be anything I want, 

a frog, a prince, a fairy queen or a monster out to haunt. 

I know I’m not a monster, but everyone pretends

that they don’t know the secret I’m telling you, my friends. 

My costume is not who I am, I’m hidden deep inside,

but once a year on this night, the real me gets to hide. 

I pretend that I’m a monster, (Roarrrr) and I totally act it out,

and I forget who I really am, because that’s what it’s all about.

By choosing to forget, you see, I create the magical chance

to remember who I really am and why we do this dance. 

Then my friends and I put on our masks and we go walking door to door,

but I have already forgotten, what do we do this for? 

Sure, we get some candy, but is that really all? 

There must be something deeper to this ritual of the fall. 

Perhaps all this Halloween fun has a certain goal;

is it trying to remind me, is it something about my soul? 

Like when I say “Trick or Treat!” What am I asking you to do? 

To see past my trick tonight to the treat that’s shining through? 

My costume is not who I am, it only covers me,

and when you look into my eyes, is there a glow you see? 

A glow that’s coming from inside, is that another clue to handle? 

It reminds me of a pumpkin carved, inside of it a candle. 

Why is the Halloween mascot a pumpkin in the night,

so that when we look into its eyes, we could see it shining bright? 

Just like your body or a costume, the pumpkin knows what’s true;

that’s why the pumpkin’s smiling, it’s trying to show you. 

That Halloween is just like life, they really are the same, 

It’s our annual human version of a very much bigger game. 

You see your body is not all you are, there is flame down deep inside,

and when I look into your eyes, your glow you cannot hide. 

That’s the Halloween Secret, it’s scary and it’s sweet, 

and remembering who you really are, now that trick is a treat. 

Boo!

Happy Halloween! Remember that you are the Trick and the Treat!

Peter has always been a storyteller — “I think it is a great way to share deep and meaningful insights and experiences. My Fables of Unity strive to open and twist minds and hearts and to spark our individual and collective Re-Membering.  In Joy!“

Want to contribute? Send 600- to 700-word articles on all aspects of inner peace to Richard Carey (rcarey009@gmail.com).