The Tale of the Jack-o'-Lantern

The Tale of the Jack-o'-Lantern

A Jack-o'-Lantern played some pranks
One moonlit Hallowe'en,
He started out all by himself
Determined to be mean.

He scared a tiny pussy cat,
A little puppy, too.
He made a cunning baby cry -
A dreadful thing to do !

He laughed and thought of other schemes.
Oh, he was bad that night.
His one idea was what to do
To bring somebody fright.

At last the joke was turned on him,
He chased a pussy cat.
It was a witch's pride and joy,
But how could he know that?

The big black pussy turned around.
It arched its back and tail,
It launched its long sharp claws at him
With snarls and long-drawn wail.

Its mistress witch then came to sight
And whacked him with her broom.
So that is how one pumpkin head
Was cracked unto his doom.

October Wood

OCTOBER WOOD

Have you ever seen the glories
Of a dark October wood?
Have you seen the oaks and maples
Covered with a crimson hood?
Have you searched for nuts of brown,
When the frost was cracking nigh?
Have you tramped for bittersweet,
Out beneath an October sky?

Have you seen the golden pumpkins
When they lay upon the ground?
Have you stood beside the cornshocks,
When the fall comes slyly round?
Have you picked the clustered grapes
From their place upon the vine?
Have you seen the great, round moon
Rise behind a stately pine?

If you haven't seen these wonders,
Then you haven't lived at all;
You have missed a thousand pleasures
That are right within your call.
You have missed the joy of living,
You have missed a gift most dear
That Mother Nature on us bestows,
Each October of the year.