There's a pumpkin in my garden

A Child's Late Night Reader

There's a pumpkin in my garden.

It is growing big and round.

I planted seeds in April

that my Mom bought me in town.

Tomorrow after dinner

we will bring it in the house,

scrape out the seeds from inside

and cut a nose, two eyes, a mouth.

We'll put it in the window

where everyone can see.

And in the dark of night,

spitting candlelight,

It will laugh and laugh,

then cry out, "Tonight is Halloween!"

Where's a good place to hide?

Shall I tell you? Shall I tell?

Not the attic, not the craw space.

Not the bottom of a well!

Where's a good place to hide?

Can't you guess it? Can't you guess?

In the closet? [Check the hamper.]

Can't you find me yet?

Where's a good place to hide?

You keep looking. Go on, look!

Behind the washer? In the cupboard?

Come on, do your best.

Where's a good place to hide?

Getting warmer! Very warmer!

You might find me...

Yes!

Through the last of the winter snow

multi-colored fingers grow.

Blue and yellow, white and red

the crocus smile in the flower bed.

Though the winter days were dreary,

and the winter nights ice cold,

now the winds blow softer, warmer,

and the sun shines bright and bold.

As the earth awakes from slumber

colored thimbles, unencumbered,

throw off their covers and shake their heads.

The crocus rise from the flower bed.

At my uncle's house

are lots and lots of books.

He says each one's a life time

of some person, place, or thing.

I like to try and read them

or just look at the pictures.

"telling tales across the ages

and from many far off places."

Some are real and some are made up

"But all of them are precious!"

Lots and lots of voices

telling lots and lots of things .

"If you listen very closely,

you can hear enticing whispers

from the pages in their binding

that sit upon my shelves."

In my head I see their faces,

and I can hear their voices,

these friends from distant places

from many years ago.

It's not suppose to rain today.

We were to go to the park to play.

But 'cause it's raining we have to stay

in the house for this whole WET day!

There's corn on the cob,

an iced pitcher of tea.

hot dogs on the grill

and the chips next to me.

I can't believe the summers started

as we picnic by the water!

We hike the forest,

pick some flowers,

play running games

for hours and hours.

And as sets the sun,

how tired are we.

The summers begun

and we children are free.

Miles from town

out in the country side

on a farm full of tress full of apples

that's where grandfather lives

tending his crops

pruning the cherry trees

on his farm past the hill near the hardware store.

So long ago --

perhaps "Once upon a time" --

grandfather lived in the heart of the city.

But that was before --

I hadn't been born yet --

Now he's alone and lives the life of a farmer.

feeding the geese,

chopping the firewood,

mending the fences that keep all the neighbors out.

We ride in the car

and travel for many miles

so far from the city that we rarely can visit

the farm where grandfather lives.

I found a bluebird egg today.

It had fallen from a tree.

It seemed so small to survive that fall.

It's a miracle to me.

It looks just like an Easter egg,

all speckled white and blue.

I keep it safe in a special place

to protect it. Wouldn't you?

Is that your cat?

Fancy That! Fancy That!

A big black cat! What's it's name?

Let me guess it; I bet I can.

It must be "Midnight"! No?

hum,oooKayy, then, well, O.K.

Let me try again.

A big black cat...

I know!, it's "Coaldust"!

"Shadow?", "Raven?",

--This is hard--.

It isn't "Tenebrous"?

[I didn't think so.]

"Ebony"?

-- I'll get it yet--

How 'bout "Shadow"? [Oh, I've said that]

"Dusty"! "Sable"! "Jet"!

Wrong? Again I'm wrong!

Oh, I guess I give it up then, what's its name?

"Jack"!?! You named him "Jack"!?!

What an odd name for a cat!

Fancy that. You named him that --

a big black cat named "Jack"!

10.

Blues and yellows,

greens and reds,

let's go find the Easter eggs.

Check the garden.

and the flower beds

Where, oh, where are those Easter eggs?

I found seven;

you found two.

Keep on looking.

I'll help you.

Under bushes,

by the shed

I hope we've found

all the Easter eggs.

11.

Put away your pens and paper.

Close your books, turn out the light.

Climb into your warm bed, weary.

Sleep. [And keep your covers tight.]