The Souls of Little Males

They seem innocent enough when you pass them on the street, or meet them at your home, trimmed in trick or treat displays of childish gore.

The shortest has a painted face, a black and white striped Ghoul. The tallest wears a jester's hat, and dances as the Fool. They both say they want "More."

More of your over sweetened, chocolate coated candy bars wrapped in stylised trademarks of Hersheys, and of Mars; the brands that kids adore.

What hides behind their sham disguise? A life of crime when they grow old? Law breakers from a future time now lingering at your door?

One day, might not this Fool pull out a pistol or a knife, and steal a wallet, snatch a purse, or take someone's life, just to make a score?

Or might the Ghoul at twenty-eight beat up and rape his date because he get his rocks off when he's most irate, screaming "You Fucking Whore!"?

You never know which boy child will grow up to be bad, or hurt the ones he claims to love when he's crazy mad; the guys who go "hard core."

Oh sure, there are the good kids who learn to be good men and become good fathers, every now and then. But they still go to war.