Children's Games

I waited, Sir.
I waited.

"But did you check the date?"

I did.
But I forgot which calendar you use.

Gregorian?
Magoma?
Chinese Lunisolar?
Vedic?

Is it the same as mine?

"They say the veil is thin this time of year."

They do.
THough they don't even perceive it
unless they've been told its possible
by folklore.
I guess that's normal, though.

For me,
there never is one.

The oni children play in the yard
while the night market goes on;
their father hustling with his noodle stand,
and their older siblings serving customers.
Little mischief makers
throw apples at my window
to see if I notice;

then giggling wildly
as they run away.

"They aren't about to eat you, my Love."

I know.
Nor are their parents.

It's the humans that terrify me.