The Devil’s Mask
by Anthony Labson
It comes back,
every Halloween,
it comes back.
That mask that one man
made famous on a historic night.
When he tainted a beloved holiday.
Now it’s seen every day through photographs
because of greedy producers
and adored by a legion of fanatics.
A night where melted chocolate
mixed with the blood of a girl
when the last thing she saw, was it.
A mask meant to amuse but met with
curiosity which turned into the theme of Halloween.
Eyes that could burn angels opened for the first time.
A smile that showed no joy
even as he moved closer to her,
taking all the joy from the world in each step.
A face meant to meet laughter
but in suspense only heard terrifying silence
when he raised that knife over his head.
One stab to the left shoulder, another stab in the back
and one more stab to the side of her belly.
The final one met her heart under her breast.
That moment became a fixed point in time
where proof of good and evil was presented.
No corruption, no influence, just evil.
Lucifer was released on Halloween
and his costume was a child destined, to wear his mask.
