Halloween Town

They roam the streets and the woods,
From city square to country corner,
In Land Rover to the lifted 4x4,
Dressed to fit in with the crowd—
From Lululemon sheik to Carhartt tan,
A look you see that fits the need
Of a group that values uniformity.
With a promise of acceptance.
If you bury deep your novel self,
Just grab a hold and tow the rope,
And be invisible with like kind,
On the streets of Halloween Town—

A place you can be yourself,
If you dare to scorn the rest
And face their mocking and jest.
Alienation comes to the unique,
Who push away the masses,
Or grab a group and adjust a look,
Get mad when they are mad,
Be glad when they are glad,
Only feel sad when you are alone,
On the streets of Halloween Town—

From pride’s ticker tape parades
To off-road’s muddy wheel wells,
From suburbia’s parent pickup
To downtown’s office towers—
We fit the hand with a glove,
Pretending it’s a perfect fit,
Leaving hidden the truest you
With the coverings of skin,
And believe the abominable sin—
That you’re not enough without
Inclusion’s symbolic camouflage,
Stacked high enough to hide behind,
On the streets of Halloween Town.

 Nicholas Campos ~ May 2025