Trial Number Five

Carefully thy laid

Put on the table

Trials one, two, three,

Four, five, and six.

"Choose one," they said.

"Oh, any," she cried, with a horror

Born of the best of Halloweens,

"Any but number five. 

It would kill me. 

I promise you, I would not survive."

They thanked her graciously,

Escorted her out, 

Then gift-wrapped, addressed, 

And labeled "Special Delivery"

Trial number five - 

Sent with love from

Those whose assignment it is

To make sure you know

That you can go

Through trials one, two, 

three, four, ninety-nine,

or five - 

And incredibly,

Come out alive.

Carol Lynn Pearson