A Tale of Hallowe'en - pipTalk Forums

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TheAnonDavid
Member

since 2008-08-28

Posts 237
UK

0 posted 2008-10-14 01:37 PM

Young Jack he was a likely lad
Some say he was a ne'er do well;
But take him for the good or bad
(and many took him for the bad)
He always had a jolly air.
He did no ill (and did no good)
And lived his life with not a care.
In ev'ry dingle, ev'ry dell
In that forgotten neighbourhood,
Where many decent souls would dwell,
Young Jack was known to ev'ryone;
A lad who loved good fun, good ale,
A lad who lay out in the sun
While others worked (something he'd shun).
Though many tried, they all would fail,
To make him mend his irksome ways
(He said he never understood
And stared back with a vacant gaze).
But though he never worked a day
And though he earned no honest pay
He always had a jar of ale-
'Twas always bought with what he'd won
(Each time he played would Jack prevail)
No games of chance, no upturned card,
Would ever leave young Jack outdone.
At last the sands of time ran thin
And Jack grew old and Jack grew grey
And Jack forgot just how to pray
Until one day he dropped his guard
And let a stranger step within
His secret thoughts, into his skin.
The stranger smiled and bought fine ale
And charmed old Jack and called him 'son.'
The more Jack drank, the less he cared
The Stranger smiled, a fiercesome grin
And said to Jack, "Now let's talk sin."
With these few words old Jack grew scared,
His drunken mind was not prepared
And this the Stranger knew too well.
"Your time is come, dear Jack, at last,"
And Jack was almost in his spell.
"The time has come to face your past
And we must go where no soul's been."
At last Jack knew the Stranger's name,
A name that conjured thoughts obscene,
A name the world knew all too well.
He'd helped The Devil play his game.
But Jack was cunning, Jack was sly
And would not let the Devil's fame
Command his mind nor blind his eye.
"Dear sir, a wish before we fly,"
Said Jack in solemn, pleading tones;
"One final game before I die."
Jack knew the Devil had no shame
And games of chance were his great vice.
"Dear Jack, before I sacrifice
Your blackened soul and burn your bones
I'll sit me down and play your game."
Said Jack, "If I should chance to gain
A lucky win would you please show,
In keeping with a sporting vein,
A magic trick as quid pro quo?"
The Devil vowed; "I'll turn these stones
Into the finest gems on Earth."
He laughed and showed no sign of mirth
But Jack said, "Let us sit and play."
Now Jack and cards were bosom friends
And there had never been a day
When Jack had given ought away.
To Jack they were the perfect ends
To meet his needs at any time.
The game was swift, the Devil cursed
For Jack had caught him at his worst.
'Twas not unlike a heinous crime
And Jack near laughed until he burst.
Said Jack, "Dear sir, I claim my prize."
And what he claimed was so sublime.
He knew the Devil could become
Whate'er he willed, don any guise.
"Can you become a coin of gold
And let me feel you in my hand?"
The Devil did not understand
But let his body's shape succumb
Until a coin Jack could behold.
Then Jack reached out his hand to hold
The golden coin so fierce and tight.
For Jack was crafty, Jack was sly
As on his hand he'd drawn a cross.
The Devil now was at a loss-
He was stuck firm, he could not fly.
The Devil said, "Just name your price
And free me from your your hand, your vice."
So Jack said, "I don't want to dwell
With you within the realms of Hell.
I know it is my time to die
But in your fire don't let me fry."
The Devil said that he agreed
And on his word the coin was freed.
His shape returned, the Devil smiled.
"You tricked me Jack, I was beguiled,
Now never could I let you dwell
With me within my realm of Hell."
So Jack set off to beg and plead
At Heaven's Gate to be let in.
But they knew Jack, his life of sin
And would not fall within his spell;
And all his begging they'd not heed.
So Heaven cast him in the dark
Without a light, without a spark
And Jack was lost twixt Heav'n and Hell.
So Heaven gave a pumpkin shell;
The Devil gave a burning coal;
And Jack gave up his mortal soul.
The coal within the shell burned bright
And Jack roamed through eternal night.
Carved in the shell the Devil's face
Made sure Jack's heart would always race
And Jack-o-Lantern's always seen
At your front door on Hallowe'en.

WTBAKELAR

Senior Member

since 2008-09-09

Posts 1089
Utah, USA

1 posted 2008-10-14 02:20 PM

Dave, How wonderful to see you back here. I have missed you and your wonderful writing.

I really enjoyed the story of the Jack-o-lantern. (I always wondered about that)
Now when I carve the face, I know of which it should be.

Good to see you here again.W.Tracey.

The answer is always NO, Until the question is asked.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2008-10-14 02:42 PM

Nice to see you back, David and with such a wonderful and entertaining post too.
Ida

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

3 posted 2008-10-14 10:17 PM

Hi there David~

I'm so glad to see you posting!

Happy Halloween, and boo to you too!

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

4 posted 2008-10-15 05:16 PM

Dear David, this is a great Halloween write, it was true fun to read!

Buu!

Love,
Margherita

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural

5 posted 2008-10-15 10:50 PM

I LOVE Halloween poems!
I am so excited for that day

ARCTIC WIND

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