CHILDREN IN COSTUME

"Can I be a vampire this year?"
"How come I have to be a princess?"
I trudge back and forth between racks of costumes,
Loaded down with capes, crowns, fake blood, teeth,
Dresses, sparkling plastic shoes.
"Really, why did they have to outgrow last year's styles?"
Eight different Disney ladies for Emily to choose from.
Neither set of fangs fits Jon's mouth...

"Is it too hard to make a choice?"
"Nice kids dress like comic superheroes."

"Can we get more blood just in case?"
"One pack for my hands, one for my face."
"Some princesses have wings dad"
"Those are fairies hun."
"Used to be costumes were cheap in my day."
"Mom would let me have wings too."
Eight hours in the store should be enough.
Six weeks to Halloween!