Ode to the Pumpkin

Halloween seems to be getting bigger every year here in the UK.

There are still a lot of Brits that can't abide it. I don't feel that strongly about it, although I can't say I agree with the principles or particularly enjoy it. I do, however object to the tons of plastic, novelty,  Halloween merchandise that appears in the supermarkets. It makes me uneasy to see such a shocking waste of resources for items that really have no use and are likely to end up in the landfill.

We never really took part in Halloween until my kids started showing an interest. One year, when they were really small, they wanted a jack-o-lantern so I ended up carving a pumpkin and discovered that I enjoyed it !

Now, I look forward to Halloween but only because of the pumpkin carving. I have a lot of fun deciding on a design and then getting stuck in with my knife! The warm orange glow that comes from the lanterns is almost hypnotic....

I carved two pumpkins this year and I even wrote a poem :-)

Ode to the Pumpkin

You can keep all your costumes,
Your fake blood and bats,
Your werewolves in graveyards
And witches black hats.
Just give me a pumpkin,
It's all I desire;
To carve out a lantern,
Light the candle with fire
And watch as it flickers,
Glows warm in the night,
While the fancy-dress children
Go out for a fright.
I sit and I ponder.
I stare at the light...
And marvel and wonder -
How can this simple thing give such delight?

Here are last year's pumpkins...