The Halloween Tree

The scythe fell and lay in the grass like a lost smile.

O autumn winds that bake and burn

And all the world to darkness turn,

Now storm and seize and make of me…

A swarm of leaves from Autumn’s Tree!

“What’s happening, Mr. Moundshroud? Where are we?”

Moundshroud struck a flinty finger into fire and held it up. “Why, bless me, boys. It’s the Dark Ages. The longest darkest night ever.”

It’s big, it’s broad…

It’s broad, it’s bright…

It fills the sky of All Hallow’s Night…

The strangest sight you’ve ever seen.

The Monster Tree on Halloween.

Mr. Moundshroud, who are YOU?

And Mr. Moundshroud, way up there on the roof, sent his thoughts back:

I think you know, boy, I think you know.

Will we meet again, Mr. Moundshroud?

Many years from now, yes, I’ll come for you.

And a last thought from Tom:

O Mr. Moundshroud, will we EVER stop being afraid of nights and death?

And the thought returned:

When you reach the stars, boy, yes, and live there forever, all the fears will go, and Death himself will die.

The days of the Long Cold are done. Because of this one brave, new-thinking man, summer lives in the winter cave.