The door bells rings
announcing the arrival of
another group of
excited and happy
trick or treaters

Nathan enjoyed Halloween
it wasn’t the candy
or the costumes
but the challenge
how much candy
could he collect
in a night

at age 17 he set the record with 35 lbs
this year there would be no
trick or treating for Nathan
Nathan died early this morning
there is no treat for us
this hollow evening
nor are there words to describe
the depth of our anguish
the pervasiveness of our sorrow

the doorbells rings
announcing the arrival of
another group of
excited and happy
trick or treaters
reminding us
of the horrific trick
played on us
by death
this hollow evening
the treat of Nathan presence
ripped forever from our lives