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The Pumpkin Eater

Posted by Silver Spun Sand on October 31, 2011 - 19:07
from the ABC set Silver Spun Sand Poems

‘Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
had a wife but couldn’t keep her.
Put her in a pumpkin shell,
and there he kept her, very well.’

Will you listen to the wind, Miranda?
The aspen scrapes the window
and the front-gate rattles on its bolt.
Needs must, I’ll stake the gladioli,
bring in the flowerpots from the sill.
You don’t hear me though, Miranda –
your mind’s a wall. Time was,
I could predict your every thought;
these days I have my doubts
you think on anything at all.

So, let the aspen scrape the pane,
and the front-gate rattle on its hinge;
let the gladioli bend to the whim
of the wind...let the pots fall
and smash, if they feel inclined.
And will I care, Miranda? No,
I won’t. All I care about is here,
inside this house, inside this room.

I could make pumpkin pie for tea.
Would you like that Miranda?
And do you love me, still? The man
you married all those years ago...
the one whose name you’ve no idea of.
Silly, I know, but I kid myself
you said, ‘Yes’... in that one brief
shining moment when the air
trembled, for a second, then held
its breath.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

hilary west | October 31, 2011 - 20:44

Lovely whimsical poem for Halloween night.

Silver Spun Sand | October 31, 2011 - 21:37

Many thanks, Hilary. Hope you're having a good
one;-)

Tina

hilary west | November 1, 2011 - 00:02

Thanks SSS. Happy Halloween to you too!

Silver Spun Sand | November 1, 2011 - 08:57

And a happy Halloween it was...No trick of treaters this year, thank goodness, and now I'm stuck with a dozen bars of chocolate, that unfortunately, I will just have to eat myself;-)

skinner_jennifer | November 1, 2011 - 10:30

Hi Tina,

this poem gave me a smile.

Thankyou for sharing.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | November 1, 2011 - 10:36

Thanks for reading, Jenny and sharing your thoughts;-)

Tina

Cavalcaderl | November 1, 2011 - 15:44

new Silver-Spun-Sand
Well deserved cherries!
Loved all poem,weel written,
on pumkins and pie.
Have you ever had one.
Sme hear computer's on and off.
Road works not helping anway things.
Had to come back out again, area they say.
Mine at snooker,bouys bags toffees,put's into
bags 5 a time. Lot's squeals and screams outside,
no one called. So he can eat toffees till the cows come home! Black cat now this time of day, sittimg
on chair, listening me tapping away!
Have a good day. Like the last stanza too.
julie x

Highhat | November 1, 2011 - 16:18

I thought this poem was a bit sad Tina! Did I get it all wrong? Though wimsical seems to fit as well. Nice!
I hope you enjoy your chocolate treats!!Remember to share with hubby!!!

;)Pia

Silver Spun Sand | November 1, 2011 - 18:12

Hi there, Julie. Thanks for your lovely comment. We had no trick or treaters at all this year;-)

Pleased you enjoyed and it was great hearing all your news.

Tina x

Silver Spun Sand | November 1, 2011 - 18:17

Hi there, Pia;-)

It was indeed a very sad and poignant poem, and your interpretation was spot-on. A touch whimsical too, perhaps.

Yes, thankyou, I did enjoy my chocolate treats, and don't worry about hubby...he got there first;-)

Have a peaceful evening.

Tina