The Pumpkin Persona
The following slightly obscure prose piece, composed by Chicago’s own famous poet, Carl Sandberg, should be circulated among chid revelers everywhere so they can learn and keep the carved Halloween pumpkin’s persona in right perspective. The composition is a favorite of mine which I’ve always included in all my holiday entertainment presentations over the years. This vital poem always commands a great round of applause.
The Pumpkin Persona
By Carl Sandberg
I spot the hills with yellow balls in autumn —
I light the prairie cornfields,
Orange and tawny gold clusters,
And I am called a pumpkin!
On the last of October when
Dusk is fallen, children,
Holding hands, circle ‘round me,
Singing ghost songs and
Love to the harvest moon.
I am a jack-o’-lantern then,
And with terrible teeth —
But the children know I’m only fooling.
Thane Cornell
Carson City
Autumn
Pumpkins, pumpkins in the patch
Our backyard garden without a latch
All the colors of fall so true
Growing each day
What else can they do?
Bonfires in the streets
With marshmallows too!
Autumn, oh, autumn
I love the most
Warmth of the day
And cider evenings to toast
Thank you, yes, thank you
For this season of fall
Three cheers for your colors
Let’s high five them all!
Jenny Schnabel
Carson City
