when meals come straight to her door–
a black cauldron roils contents of
gall of goat, eye of newt, pineapple
sliced by Grim Reaper’s scythe,
splash of Devil’s Springs vodka–
the fire sizzles and spits.
The doorbell rings, a chorus of
Trick or Treat! The buffet calls from
outside her dark door.
Treats of chocolate caramel Twix
trick the children, who live with
the old woman, who lives in a shoe.
Taking turns on a stool,
one by one the shadow of
sharpened shears loom over their
heads and SNIP! Chunks of hair
spider the stew–bubbles with
succulent shapes of lice.
Prompt: October 2022 Year of the Tiger Bamboo Shoots Writing Contest Prompts