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Balladeer
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0 posted 2001-10-30 06:06 PM






You may be wondering just how the pumpkin made the scene
To be the symbol trademark of the day of Halloween.
If one checks out it's history and turn the pages back
It all points to a drunken Irishman whose name was Jack.

Jack had a real bad temper and he loved to sip the brews.
His health had nearly been destroyed by years of demon booze.
Then, one night in a local pub, his drinking took its toll
And the Devil appeared there right on cue to claim Jack's wasted soul.

Jack begged the Devil for one more drink to speed him on his way.
He told the Devil he was broke and had no way to pay.
The Devil agreed and turned into a sixpence for the beer...
Jack grabbed the coin and shoved it in his purse and gave a cheer!

The purse, you see, had a clasp that formed a cross outside
And the Devil could not escape, no matter how hard he tried.
He begged Jack to release him and Jack told him, loud and clear,
That he would do so if the fiend would give him one more year.

Agreement made, the Devil left and Jack went on his way
To live another year of fights and boozin' day to day.
Then, one day, Jack was in the orchard near an apple tree
When the Devil appeared and said, "The year is up! Now come with me!!"

Jack said OK....he'd keep his word and would go willingly
But wanted one large apple high atop the apple tree.
He hoisted the Devil up to get it down for him and then
He carved a cross on the tree trunk and imprisoned him again!!!!

The Devil was beside himself! He screamed! He raved! He swore!
But Jack just laughed and said that he demanded ten years more.
The Devil, out there on a limb, could not help but agree
For, due to Jack's uncanny wit, he had him up a tree!!!

Three years went by..Jack's life went on just like it had before
Til finally his heart decided it could take no more
And Jack dropped dead of natural causes one October day....
His soul arrived in Heaven but St. Pete turned him away.

His soul then drifted down to Hell to where the Devil ruled
But the Devil was still smarting from the way he had been fooled
So he turned Jack away as well.....he didn't want his soul.
To find his way through Limbo, he gave Jack a piece of coal.

Jack hollowed out a turnip and then placed the coal inside
Then lit it so the light within would serve him as a guide....
On Halloween we see this lamp whereever Jack may roam
Walking through the fields of Limbo, searching for a home.


Then Irish came here to our shores in waves of emigration.
Searching for a better life, they helped to build our nation.
They found few turnips growing for the Night of Walking Dead
But pumpkins were quite plentiful so they used them instead!



So that's the Irish tale, my friends. They swear that it is true.
If you find it believeable....I'll leave that up to you.
But I believe in leprecauns and Irish love their ale
So I'll not be the one to say it is a silly tale.




© Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
1 posted 2001-10-30 06:28 PM



I believe  

This is awesome!  You should submit this to the main site of passions or better yet, send this to your local newspaper or magazine!  You really can write about anything with grace and wit!  I luv it  

Take care ya cutie patootie  

Melissa~

"Poetry is not an opinion expressed...
it is a song that rises from a bleeding
wound...or a smiling mouth"

~Kahlil Gibran~

RosePetal
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since 2001-08-26
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South Florida
2 posted 2001-10-30 06:32 PM


I like the way you've written this cute tale. Have a safe Halloween! You might seem me taking me little brother trick or treating...afterall we do live in the same city!

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

3 posted 2001-10-30 07:08 PM


I agree, this and all your other work should be published...somewhere.  Then we can all say we knew you when.  You are a great story teller, Balladeer.
Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2001-10-30 07:35 PM


Balladeer--How very interesting and so well done...I loved it!!
Midnitesun
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Gaia
5 posted 2001-10-30 09:00 PM


LOL, this is really good. I need to email it as a greeting card to all my Irish party friends.  It's a classic!
Kit McCallum
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since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
6 posted 2001-10-30 09:09 PM


ROFL ... oh my ... this is absolutely wonderful Michael!!!  I've not read anything so wonderfully warm and witty, yet covered me up with goosebumps at the very same time. What a perfect tale to set the Halloween spirit a'glow ... this is perfect in it's cadence and rhyme my friend ... an absolutely delightful Halloweeny tale ... loved it!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Magnus
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since 2001-10-10
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South Carolina, USA
7 posted 2001-10-30 09:17 PM


Ditto, ditto, ditto....I agree with all of
the rest....You have done well with this
tale....and I to believe that this could
very well be true....Enjoyable...very much
so.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
8 posted 2001-10-30 10:28 PM


Michael, very well done!!  You are quite the storyteller!!  Gave me goosebumps where I shouldn't get goosebumps.     ~Nancy~

  ~Time has cast a spell on you,
So that you won't ever forget me.~

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
9 posted 2001-10-30 10:45 PM


wonderful writing, Michael  

you are the ballad, dear

Larry C
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since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
10 posted 2001-10-30 10:57 PM


Balladeer,
You and Jack are both very clever! It's a fun tale you weave.  

dgvarner
Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552
High Springs, Florida
11 posted 2001-10-30 11:00 PM


WOW!  that was too cool!  and thats some difficult writing, where you have to tell the story...great job!

much enjoyed this little punkin tale  

hugs, g

~dgvarner/fallen rain~

"what if jesus comes back like that..will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at?..." c.raye

suthern
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since 1999-07-29
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Louisiana
12 posted 2001-10-31 12:09 PM


Perhaps it takes an Irishman to tell an Irish tale... But your talent for excellence delivers, without fail. *S*

This is superb storytelling, Deer One... captivating and spine-tingling. *S*

Lady In White
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13 posted 2001-10-31 12:14 PM



If you say it's so, then it must be
as never shall I rue
the day I read a story well writ
from Balladeer, that's true!

SmittenKitten
Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131
where the sky and horizon meet
14 posted 2001-10-31 12:56 PM


Hehe, this is hilarious!  You make it believable    very clever Balladeer.

Hey, how did you get a gif posted??  None of the photo storage places I use let me upload gifs, only jpegs!  Oh please do tell!  I have gifs that could go with my Halloween poem!

Hugs,
~Krista

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
15 posted 2001-10-31 03:06 PM


Melissa..maybe I'll do just that! Thanks for your ever-present support,sweeterthanhoney gal  

Rose Petal...come on by! That would indeed be a treat!  

Duncan...back when I was a struggling, starving poet? You would be so right!!   Thank you, friend  

Martie..the Irish swear by it! Glad you enjoyed  

midnitesun..thank you! Being full-blooded Irish myself, I KNOW they will enjoy it!  

Kit...the thought of you covered in goosebumps covers ME in goosebumps!!   Your pleasure in reading it makes it all worthwhile  

magnus....I agree! I've never heard of an Irishman exaggerating...have you?  

Enchantress...I shall spend the day pondering where those places may be  
Thank you!!!!  

doreen..LOL! Very clever Beats being a ball ladder!  

larry C...I thank you. We're both clever but JACK had all the fun!  

dvgarner..thanks! I just like to tell stories...even about cute punkins  

suthern gal..I thank you, lady. I can think of no other spine I'd rather tingle!

lady...if I say it, it must be true? Oh, boy! Have I got a bridge for you!!!

krista...thank you, lady  .....and check your e-mail  

Elizabeth
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Minnesota
16 posted 2001-10-31 04:43 PM


I believe too! Happy Halloween!

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
17 posted 2001-10-31 05:37 PM


Balladeer,
Once again I can only say you are a poets poet. And wish I was rich enought to publish
You. But since I am not, have a beer on me.

Mysteria
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18 posted 2001-10-31 05:46 PM


I agree with Seymour - let's take up a collection to publish you and split the profits between the investors - what say?  You simply amaze me you know that?  This was fantastic and I know some dear old people who are going to think you are the cat's ___ on Thursday!  

~*~  Carpe' Diem  ~*~

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
19 posted 2001-10-31 05:52 PM


Balladeer~
You are such a sweetheart ...
and the fact that you're such a marvelous poet doesn't hurt your chances either~
Love you~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
   noles1@totcon.com              

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
20 posted 2001-10-31 05:53 PM



Balladeer-
   What a wonderful story-teller you are!
   This was some interesting and enjoyable
   reading, my friend.
   I'm liking it lots!
   Hugs,
   ~Vicky


"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Poet deVine
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Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
21 posted 2001-10-31 06:31 PM


This is perfectly told! A wonderful tale indeed as only YOU can do it!  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
22 posted 2001-10-31 07:10 PM


Each time I light a Jack-o-lantern
Think I'll have a beer
To celebrate the tale of Jack
Told by our Balladeer
I'm so relieved they found the pumpkins
and Jack didn't go to hell
For I don't think that I could carve a turnip very well

Graet tale
Loved it
Liz

rosepetals25
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since 2000-05-31
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PA
23 posted 2001-10-31 07:10 PM


Balladeer,

   How did I miss this yesterday??? No matter.. I seen it today I loved it... you write so well   I enjoyed the story.


Happy and safe Halloween to ya
Tara

Don't marry for money...  You can borrow it cheaper!

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
24 posted 2001-10-31 07:14 PM


STANDING OVATION. ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL!!! I LOVE IT.  

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
25 posted 2001-10-31 10:43 PM


I love it. This is so good. I agree. You should have it published. Thank you for sharing it.
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
26 posted 2001-10-31 11:15 PM


Elizabeth...thanx for believing!  

Sy...only if you join me, my pal.  

Mysteria..give my warmest regards to the ladies!  

Marge....my chances? I'm still a contender?? Oh, boy!!!!

Vicky...and how I like your liking it!! Thank you!

Poet Devine...your approval is always appreciated. I thank you!  

Liz...those little suckers WOULD be hard to carve, wouldn't they?  

rosepetals...and a very happy Halloween to you, too. Thank you!

Startime..your ovation is a wonderful sensation! Thank you, lady  

smartchick...and thank you for reading it! I appreciate you  


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