candy cane

he was terror
in a bulky dark blue winter coat
topped with a cherry red hat.
he clutched a candy cane in his right hand
as he shuffled his way to the front.
i heard
...swish swish swish....
mixed with
....stomp stomp stomp.....
and then
....thump....
he plopped down on his knees
in the last row of children
near a little girl
he turned around
to look back
and yelled out "mama...mama?"
terror with a candy cane
but he was so adorable!