Anticipation builds when a decorate-able holiday approaches. Eggs are hung from trees, reindeer are bolted to roofs, carved jack-o-lanterns are set at the door. The decor reminds our salivary glands of  the marshmallow Peeps, chocolate-filled gold coins, and spiced pumpkin pie to come. So, we decorate to the nines. We cook for days, then stuff our bellies full.

But before the football game’s over, it’s time to clean up and undeck-the-halls. The dried up boughs of holly get tossed, the spent candles are pitched, and the turkey carcass is made into soup. After Halloween, the skeleton is stuffed back into the closet – but, as in my case, only once he’s had the last word:

“Gather your vampires, witches, and bats,
Spiders, ghosties, and arch-backed black cats
Put them together with the goblins and ghouls,
Then load them up high on the backs of pack mules.
Or store them in boxes way up in your attic!”
The skeleton in my closet was downright emphatic.
“Cause there’s no room in here,” he said with a flair.
“Now that Nature’s done dying October’s hair.

 Thanksgiving’s approaching. There’s no time to waste.
I’ll wrap up the leftovers

 while you make haste
Adorning the house with turkeys and corn.
Don’t worry ’bout me. I’ll not feel forlorn
As nighttime turns frosty and moon’s silvery beams
Shed light on the road to more winterly themes.

Just promise you’ll leave the door open a crack

So I can scare Santa
and snatch up his sack.”

Do inanimate objects speak to you too, sometimes? What have they had to say? Don’t be shy. Share it with the rest of us. Until then, have a wonderful week.