A Pumpkin’s Point of View
A Pumpkin’s Plea
I sit on the stoop,
meditating and waiting.
I don’t know who I am
or which way I’m facing.
I hope you’ll come soon
with a sharp silver blade
to hacksaw my head
and muck out my brain.
I’m desperate for eyes
like sad gaping moons
or slightly tipped triangles
threatening doom.
I crave a bright smile
and maybe some teeth—
a couple that dangle
or a set to mince meat.
A nose might make sense,
centered and friendly,
though a smooth empty space
looks disturbing and deadly.
Come, bring your knife.
Don’t make me wait!
I’m scared that you’ll leave me
without any face.
Last year I wrote a poem about my strong desire not to carve my pumpkin. My pumpkin was so perfect, I couldn’t imagine changing it. This year as I sat down to write my annual Halloween poem, I wondered about my pumpkin’s point of view. I suddenly worried: what if my pumpkin had really wanted to be carved?!
© Elizabeth Steinglass, all rights reserved, 2014
Kids will so relate to this!! Thanks for a good one, Liz!
I will let you know their reactions.
Yay! Thanks, Janet!
What a clever poem and interesting perspective! Don’t we all wish to be recognized?
Love your poem! I never thought about the pumpkin’s point of view either (we never carve ours). But now I can see maybe our pumpkins have felt unfulfilled all these years. 🙂
Brilliant, Elizabeth. Making the face a happy one is perfect for the pumpkin’s view.
Hi, Liz. I’m going to share your post on Facebook. Your poor pumpkin seems resigned to his fate. I’ll be carving mine (guiltily) this afternoon.
Laura–thanks for sharing!
Oh, that second verse! Does he really want to exchange the brain for eyes? Beautiful thinking of those poor pumpkins! There seem to be so many at my store, waiting to be chosen! Thanks Liz. And Happy Halloween!
Great poem, Liz! It sounds a bit rap like too.
So clever to write from the pumpkin’s POV, Liz! Really fun poem. Happy Halloween 🙂
Terrific, Liz! “hacksaw my head
and muck out my brain” = pure brilliance.
Not what I expected, Liz, but I should have known better than to expect the expected with you! You always bring a fresh perspective to your poetry. 🙂 I suppose there might be a few celebs out there that feel the same way about plastic surgery. I definitely can relate to the mucky head bit… some days anyway.
Unique POV, Liz! Like Buffy, I love “hacksaw my head
and muck out my brain!”
Thanks everyone! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This is terrific. I love the perspective. Thanks for sharing it here.
Love it, Liz! Pumpkins have desires, too! Surprising that he’d want you “to hacksaw my head
and muck out my brain”, but to each his own – who am I to judge? =)
Wonderful pumpkin and wonderful poem!!!
I am so glad my husband carves the pumpkin. I hate that gooey inside. Love the perspective.
Nice job, Liz! Good rhythm and fresh imagery.
I don’t know how old your kids are, but we’ve had a cd called Halloween Howls for a long time that your kids might like. On it, there’s a song by Andrew Gold called “Gimme a Smile” in which a pumpkin asks to be turned into a happy jack o’lantern (he’s worried about being made to look scary!).
Loved the switch in perspective – and that last, happy stanza.