An angel whispered trick or treat

The neighbourhood started oozing Hallowe'en decorations before Thanksgiving.  I think everyone is eager to have a real Hallowe'en, although you hear of scaredy-cats who don't want to shell out this year either.

Much as "Boxing Day" has been highjacked into "Boxing Week", or even "Boxing Month" by the merchants, I've been hearing the phrase "Hallowe'en Week".

Well, I'm prepping the pumpkins today, so I might as well get into the mood.  I didn't hear this 1992 Hallowe'en tune by Richard Shindell until a couple of years ago.  It combines the bitterness of a busted up love affair with dreamlike and nightmarish aspects of All Hallows Eve.  

It's a toe-tapper.

You took the toaster when you went 

You never paid your half the rent 

You took the spices from the rack 

But you don't have to put 'em back 

'Cause in your haste on Halloween 

You left your camera on the bed 

Where we played roles in black and white 

You left a roll of black and white 

I set the timer and thought of you 

And put the lens up to my head 

I took a photograph for you 

What comes out grey is really red 

Are you happy now? 

I smashed your pumpkin on the floor 

The candle flickered at my feet 

As goblins flew across the moon 

The children peered into the room 

A cowboy shivered on the porch 

As Cinderella checked her watch 

A hobo waited in the street 

An angel whispered trick-or-treat 

But what was I supposed to do 

But to sit there in the dark? 

I was amazed to think that you 

Could take the candy with you too  

So, are you happy now? 

I've sat all night and now it's dawn 

And I cannot believe my eyes 

There's garbage strewn across the lawn 

Where we once stared up at the sky 

And streams of paper fill the tree 

That hovered over you and me 

Shaving cream covers the car 

That we picked up in Baltimore 

Though I know it's hard to tell 

I hope that what's-his-name treats you well 

I still maintain that he's a bum 

But it's your money – have some fun 

And are you happy now? 

You always asked why I had not 

Written you a verse or two 

Since that's the one thing I regret 

I dedicate this one to you 

So, are you happy now? 

Are you?