A laggard trick-or-treater
In a tiny cowl and cape
Came scratching at our windowpane
Beyond the velvet drape

We bid him take his leave of us
As midnight was too late
For foolish pagan rituals
We’d ne’er accommodate

He wept and told us that
They dubbed him Little Orphan Andy
He begged us for one single lick
Of copper-flavored candy

The night wore on, he ground us down
With endless tales of loss and woe
Our strife was just beginning
In the light of morning’s saffron glow

Wylde Abandyn 04/21/17