TRICK OR TREESE
It was the end of October at Firehouse 3,
As autumn leaves began to fall.
The temperature tumbled by twenty degrees,
When spooks and snoops came out to prowl.
Preston pressed through chores
To carve a picture on a pumpkin,
While Sherman manned the door
To pass the sweets and treats and munchies.
Gus was Big Bart Bruiser
From his favorite show on channel 4.
Max was Martin Luther
And nailed his theses to our door.
They grabbed their plastic baskets
And took off down the block,
Where those dogs worked fast and frantic
To fill them to the top.
“Trick or treat!”
As they walked across a lawn.
“Grace is free!”
Yelled Max, “You’ve got the whole thing wrong!”
As Gus indulged in candy,
“These Smart Tarts hit the spot!”
While Max found something dandy ---
Caramel cream with chocolate dots.
Then came a sweet aroma
From a house across the street.
Why, it was 11 East Enola,
And they were serving Reeses treats!
Gus marched on up the walk,
And at the door he rang the bell.
Then as the man undid the lock,
Out flowed that scrumptious smell.
“Trick or treat!”
As he licked his long wet lips.
No! That cheat!
I got a lousy bag of chips!
So he circled ’round the block
To try a new approach,
And in a sheet with big black spots,
He came back as a ghost.
“Trick or treat!”
As the man undid the door.
Oh! Good grief!
I got a stupid pack of smores!
He kept his spotted sheet
And came back once anew,
Then flopped on all four feet
And mustered up a “Moo!”
But the man was not impressed,
And he sent him on his way.
Then Gus sat down to rest,
It’s just not my day!
Then he struck out as Little Miss Miller
And with costumes even crazier,
Like an alien gorilla
And the Count of Spotsylvania.
Once more around the block,
And he ditched his dumb disguise.
Then at the door that young Dal knocked
With two terribly tearful eyes.
“Trick or treeeeeese!”
As he held his arms out wide.
Then on his knees he made his plea,
And claimed his peanut prize!
“Reeses! Reeses!”
Ecstatic Gus exclaimed.
“Jesus frees us!”
The Gospel Max proclaimed.
“Peanut butter! Chocolate!
Melting in my mouth!”
“He’s the perfect offering!
Our sins no longer count!”
They were walking west on 4th
On their way back to the station,
When Max stormed St. Marys’ doors
And yelled, “It’s time for reformation!”
“For it’s by grace that you’ve been saved,
And you mustn’t charge a fee!”
Then he grabbed a stack of nails
To pound his protests to their tree.
“Shalom boys!” as the rabbi came outside,
“May I offer you a treat?”
“Max!!!” Gus cried,
“You want the church across the street!!!”
He gave the dogs some carrots,
And a toothbrush, floss, and pick.
But Gus just couldn’t bear it,
And showed him Thesis 96.
When they got back to the station,
They emptied out their treats.
Then on a plate they placed their rations
And showed them all to Chief.
It was filled with dimes and quarters,
And fives and tens and twenties.
Then Chief burst out in horror,
“Where’d you boys get all this money???”
And then a sudden snort and lurch,
As he snapped back wide awake,
Where he found himself at church,
As they were passing ’round the plate.
Gus let out a laugh
For Chief had quite the snore.
Then he leaned toward little Max,
“He’s done this here before!”
Then they read the Holy Gospel,
From Luke 18, verse 1 through 8,
And recited from the prophets,
How God will strengthen those who wait.
When they sang A Mighty Fortress,
Chief was way off clef,
And as he belted out the chorus,
Gus grinned, “Thesis 97!!!”
David J Allen
November 17, 2007
Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [2] He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. [3] And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
[4] “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' ”
[6] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
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