When the moon is full
and the leaves turn red
the clock ticks ticking
inside your head
and cold is the tale
from long ago
'bout Jack of the Lantern
that all should know.
Now Jack was man
who was filled with greed
and the lessons of life
he was not to heed.
He traveled far
to steal his gold
but was soon found out
and chased to the cold.
When the Devil found Jack,
he'd have taken his soul,
but Jack was more clever
and played his role.
He tricked the Devil
into taking the shape
of a coin in his pocket
for a grand escape.
When the Devil leapt in
he sat next to a cross
that stripped all his powers.
'Twas a mighty loss.
From then and there
was a flickered glow
that lit from the inside
so that all would know
when evil is captured
and trapped within
it can only reflect
the power of sin.
Author notes
Reference History of the Jack-o-Lantern
Background by Software Picks Network
A contest entry
- Jack-o-lantern by ea.
600 points, ended October 15, 2008, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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intresting take on the prompt . . liked "a flickered glow" and "it can only reflect the power of sin" . . good luck in the contest
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Of the several myths
this one will do very well for a rollicking narrative. I think stories began very soon after the American Civil War. Jack must have been a farmer.
You made me laugh and these days that is a good sign.
Short lines do suit the verses as do the rhymes for your even lines. Thast the devil could take any shape is a superstition that is not widely held today but your poem partly revives that. Thank you, Pamela.
Ron.
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Thank you for sharing ...
this poetical tale and one which I've never heard before in all my years of living. Your poem is written well (should I have expected it not to be?) and it held my attention to the last line. Well done and good luck in the contest. j y
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when i saw this title i thought of jack in the box. i must be hungry.....
VERY nice poem! i love it!
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wow, this is a well rendered rhyming retelling of the old tale of how Jack got his glow and much appreciated! I will enjoy reading this one aloud to my daughter. Thanks!
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