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The History of the Jack-O-Lantern
| Open Poetry #16 |
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The History of the Jack-O-Lantern |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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    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.  |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
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... |
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RosePetal 
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
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! |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
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. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer--How very interesting and so well done...I loved it!! |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL, this is really good. I need to email it as a greeting card to all my Irish party friends. It's a classic! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
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 |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
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. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
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, |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
wonderful writing, Michael you are the ballad, dear |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Balladeer, You and Jack are both very clever! It's a fun tale you weave. |
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dgvarner Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552High Springs, Florida |
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~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
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* |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
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! |
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SmittenKitten Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131where the sky and horizon meet |
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  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
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  |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
I believe too! Happy Halloween! God bless America, my home sweet home. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
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. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
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 ~*~ |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
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.*~ |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
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, |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This is perfectly told! A wonderful tale indeed as only YOU can do it!  |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
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 |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
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! |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
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. |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
I love it. This is so good. I agree. You should have it published. Thank you for sharing it. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
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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