The Halloween Tree - Ray Bradbury

"There must have been a thousand pumpkins on this tree, hung high and on every branch. A thousand smiles. A thousand grimaces. And twice-times-a-thousand glares and winks and blinks and leerings of fresh-cut eyes. And as the boys watched, a new thing happened. The pumpkins began to come alive..."

"...It's big, it's broad... 

it's broad, it's bright... 

it fills the sky of All Hallows' Night..."

"The strangest sight you've ever seen.

The Monster Tree on Halloween."

"The leaves have burnt to gold and red

The grass is brown, the old year dead,

But hang the harvest high, Oh see!

The candle constellations on the Halloween Tree."

"The stars they turn, the candles burn

And the mouse-leaves scurry on the cold wind bourne,

And a mob of smiles shine down on thee

From the gourds hung high on the Halloween Tree."

"The smile of the Witch, and the smile of the Cat,

the smile of the Beast, the smile of the Bat,

The smile of the Reaper taking his fee,

All cut and glimmer on the Halloween Tree..."

"...O dear sweet dead, come home, and welcome here. 

Lost in the dark but always dear. 

Do not wander, do not roam. 

Dear ones, come home."

Earthlight 2000