Jack-O-Lantern

Recalling the good old days

Do you remember the very first time

That you saw a “Jack-O-Lantern”

Looking back; you were maybe 4 or 5 years old?

 

Did you grow your own pumpkins in a back yard garden,

Or did you go to a big pumpkin patch to get it?

 

Do you always pick the tall ones, or the big fat ones?

 

Was it your own that your mom or dad carved on the kitchen table,

Cutting open the top, and letting you scrape out all the gooey guts and seeds?

 

Did you dry the seeds in the oven and eat them,

Or save them in an old can to plant in the garden next spring?

 

Was your Jack-O-Lantern scary or happy?

Did you look at it and wonder what made the face glow?

Did you try to see inside his eyes at the flickering flame?

 

Does it bring back memories of a carefree child hood when;

“How much candy did you get” was the most important thing?

 

Now it’s: Plug in pumpkins, Shelves of costumes, hundred dollar decorations,

 And no more “Trick or Treating” for fear of the “bad people”, not  “The Spooks?”

 

What happened to the simple joys of Halloween, and Carving “Jack-O-Lanterns?”

Reviews

[Audrey M.]

I don't recall ever having a pumpkin carved out at home. I only saw them on the porches of houses I used to trick or treat at.
The bad people turned into the monsters😟
Still I like to go for the walk to see people's decorating skills🤷

[Trace]

It's never too late to carve a jack-o-lantern.
Tell the tsle of your first slice of the blade.

Trace.

[NoelHC]

I grew up doing many of those things you described, and my kids also got to experience Halloween much as I did.
Our son was carving jack o' lanterns the other day and called to ask what he had to do to dry the seeds to eat, so the tradition carries on!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
And yes, it seems Halloween has become too "commercial" to me as well.

[Trace]

I would have responded sooner but the light burned out in my electric pumpkin.
And the smoke machine started blowing bubbles.
And I couldnt open the package of candied pumpkin seeds........

Well you get the idea.....

Thanks for your great comments my friend.

Trace

[NoelHC]

Sounds like you need a $5 pumpkin spice latte, extra hot, extra foam, non-fat, at Starbucks to get in the proper mood for the holiday. ; )

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah, yes, those were the days, Trace....when my mom and dad helped me carve the Jack O'Lantern and knew it was safe to send me off with my friends in the neighborhood. Things sure have changed through the years, but moms and dads still love their children and children still love filling up their candy bags as many times as possible. What lovely reminiscing there is in this poem, Trace. I enjoyed it. Lydi**

[Trace]

We take Josh to grandpa's to go trunk or treating at the church
Then go back to his house for dinner and all the grandkids get a grab bag full of goodies.
Thanks for sharing this strole down memory lane with me.

Trace

[Lyn Anderson]

Well, we still have all the old fashioned things. And roast our pumpkin seeds:) Nice bit of nostalgia here.

[Trace]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful comments and thoughts.
I am so glad you enjoyed this writing.

Trace

[Aayushi]

Halloween sounds fun I wish it was one of our festivals. Dressing up like whoever you want or whatever you want and these pumpkins seems scary happy. Nice composition. Thanks for sharing.

[Trace]

Thank you for your excellent comments on this piece.

I am sure you have many different customs and ceremonies in your country that are very exciting.
Hope you get a chance to read my other scary Halloween posts.

[Aayushi]

Yea we do have many customs and I am very proud of them. Yea will love to read more, it is always a pleasure to read your composition.