Stuart Watkins
I’m not afraid of Halloween
said the sly coyote as he slinked away
jackrabbits knew better
and hid in a hollow log
young javelina reds scurried this way and that
their parents had warned them
about the sounds in the night
sounds that would make them feel fright
bats started circling in the moonlight
wise owls kept quiet as they
watched and waited
rattlesnakes just debated
which way to slither
into holes they created
Gila monsters had nothing to fear
they knew nothing would interfere
with anything they held dear
lizards and hawks
shivered and quaked
wondering if their lives were at stake
winds whistled over cacti thorns
making sounds that caused alarms
mesquite trees swayed in the night
friendly spirits kissed them goodnight
Arizona Halloween passed in the moonlight