Inspiration:
For children play and imagination transform the world into a place they long it to be. It seems, as adults, we can lose sight of the importance of play. The month of October, however, invites adults to reconnect with imaginative play especially during Halloween. It is during this time that many adults allow themselves to adopt a new role or identity for a few hours. For this poem, let your imagination soar and try on some new voices.
Process:
As you write, play with visual and auditory imagery to transport your readers into your world.
For some it helps to start from the perspective of a child where your imagination can flow freely.
Consider playing with dialogue, onomatopoeia, and capitalization for effect.
End the poem with gratitude for the gift of imaginative play.
"Trick or treat!
Trick or treat!
Give me something good to eat!
If you don't, I don't care -
I'll pull down your underwear!"
I chant as I gallop up the narrow walk
Leading to two white houses connected by a garage
Paint peeling
Coats chipping
Flaking like fingers.
"YAH!" is used
to greet my classmate.
I am a ninja slinking through the night.
My face is wrapped in soft black cloth
beads of saliva and condensation
clinging to the fabric near my mouth
near my nose.
Only my eyes are visible as I reach my yearning hand towards the basket
filled with Baby Ruths, Hershey bars, Whopper balls
The sickly sweet sugar scent permeates the crisp fall air
I shove my hand in the basket and grip the foil-like wrappers
My eyes and appetite are greedy - longing to take all of the candy
But there are more people in line behind me
And more porch lights on
Down the road
Reluctantly,
I release my haul and take two pieces.
A milky way and a snickers.
I grin from ear to ear, feeling superior in my draw of candy.
I turn round and saunter away
To hear my friend yell, "Hey! I didn't even know it was you!"
And I release a soft breath of air
Warming the fabric covering my lips
Smiling to myself
I am a Ninja
The warrior
Concealed in the night.
Thankful
My parents let me skip princess costume
In favor of my black illusion