Jan Allison Poet Couplet

Poor Peter Pumpkin

Poor Peter Pumpkin had a very itty bitty head.
So the farmer made him stay inside the garden bed.

The farmer said that he was going to keep him warm with hay.
And there the itty bitty pumpkin stayed for many a day.

Finally, the farmer came to check upon poor Peter,
measured him and then exclaimed, “You’ve grown an extra meter!

I think it’s time for you to finally go and face the world.”
Peter got up from his bed. He twirled and twirled and twirled!

“My,” the farmer shouted, “You’ve grown two legs with feet!
You’re a special pumpkin. My daughters you must meet!”

Poor Peter heaved his hefty bulk, waddling away,
following behind the farmer so he would not stray.

They traveled rather quickly, and soon they reached the house.
The daughters saw the pumpkin and grew quiet as a mouse.

The silence lasted just until at last one daughter spoke,
“A pumpkin with two legs? Is this some kind of joke?”

Her father knelt beside her and whispered in her ear,
“Do not be afraid, my child. You’ve not a thing to fear.

We can carve a lantern. It will be your Halloween treat.
Then we can make lots of pumpkin pies for us to eat."

Peter trembled with a chill to hear their horrid plan.
Jumping out the door, he yelled, “Catch me if you can!”

He ran into the pastures. Then he tumbled down a hill.
As  he rolled he bumped into the couple, Jack and Jill!

“Oh dear me,” cried Peter, “I do not wish to be
a lantern for this Halloween. Please, can you guys help me!”

Jack and Jill then led him to the land of Nursery Rhymes.
His sad fate has now been told to children many times.

For he ran across a man named Peter Pumpkin EATER.
Maybe you can guess now what became of our poor Peter!

10~12~14
Contest: Halloween Co-Writes
Sponsor: Diane Locksley
Written By Jan Allison & Andrea Dietrich
~awarded 1st place~

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John Read January 24, 2022 at 3:02 AM Enjoyed your poem Jan,a well deserved winner.

Ann Peck March 20, 2021 at 4:06 PM I love this story! Now, this belongs in a book! Your rhyme is perfect. Great job!

John Watt July 5, 2020 at 3:07 PM Ha! I found this was your 2nd most viewed poem on PS, and had to look into it... no wonder it's so popular! Your fantastic story telling style in couplet form is so delightful and with a hilarious ending. Great collab with another favorite poetess. Hugs ~ John

James Horn June 22, 2020 at 7:08 PM Peter had petered himself away into oblivion and he married a Bolivian after going for a spin. Jan Allison June 22, 2020 at 7:11 PM thanks Jim:-) hugs jan xx

Ann Foster June 13, 2019 at 4:38 PM That was just plain fun. Thank you so much. Ann Jan Allison June 13, 2019 at 5:12 PM Andrea was the most amazing person to collaborate with and I've learned so much since I started writing by having such wonderful support on the site:-) hugs Jan x

Valerie Staton January 9, 2019 at 1:22 PM Very nice poem! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Jan Allison January 9, 2019 at 1:26 PM Thanks Valerie, Andrea was the driving force behind this poem, I learned so much about meter by writing with her:-) hugs Jan xx

Caren Krutsinger April 5, 2018 at 3:55 AM After reading this whimsical couplet which is full of delightfulness, I want both Jan and Andrea to write something with ME! how do you do that? Jan Allison April 5, 2018 at 12:50 PM We get an idea and then mail each other, it can be great fun - I was quite new to writing and learned so so much about meter from Andrea she is an awesome teacher and i am her willing student! With help from some wonderful people on the site i am no longer a fledgling poet I am flying high on my own:-) hugs jan xx

Jessica Amanda Salmonson February 6, 2018 at 7:30 PM Old playground lyrics to William Tell's Overture: Pete's gotta head like a ping pong ball/ Pete's gotta head like a ping pong ball/ Pete's gotta head like a ping pong ball/ Like a ping, like a ping pong ball/ Ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping Ping Pong Ball/ Ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping Ping Pong Ball! Jan Allison February 7, 2018 at 7:44 AM LOL Jessica:-) hugs Jan xx

Bl Devnath June 1, 2017 at 9:40 AM Excellent funny poem written with ha ha story. Read and enjoyed much. Loved always my dear friend, bl Jan Allison February 7, 2018 at 7:43 AM Thanks so much BL sorry I missed seeing this comment last year!:-) hugs jan xx

Annette Gagliardi April 29, 2017 at 3:44 PM Well, I am familiar with Peter, His pumpkin and Jack and Jill! What a fun story this is. Loved it. Jan Allison April 30, 2017 at 2:29 PM Thanks Annette it was a real honour to write with Andrea and I had never ever heard of Peter Pumpkin before started the poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Donna Roberts March 30, 2017 at 12:40 PM Just saw this now, so cute. What was the name of the one running away again,my memory fails,ugh, was it a pancake oh maybe the ginger bread man!! Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:43 PM The gingerbread man was the one who ran away from the fox in the story:-) Thanks for commenting on this poem it was such an honour to write with Andrea and I learned so so so much from her and still do:-) hugs jan xx

Deatrice Johnson October 30, 2016 at 10:11 AM This is very cute and definitely appropriate for this time of year! You showed a very creative writing pattern by incorporating nursery rhymes into the poem. I think this is a great poem to read to children because it can teach them valuable lessons such as, it's okay to be different; being brave; the importance of helping others! Great job Jan! ???? Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM Thanks Deatrice I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Oliver Mckeithan October 30, 2016 at 6:24 AM Hello Jan, I like humor and irony in any writing,especially poetry. This a great poem that has both. Good job Oliver Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM Thanks Oliver I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Ovidiu Bocsa October 26, 2016 at 11:05 AM I am that incredible Poor Peter Pumpkin By the time when for different reasons Scientists tried to get a square a Pumpkin. That explains my square head for seasons. Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:46 PM Thanks Ovidiu I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Karen Edwards-Gregory October 25, 2016 at 3:38 PM Jan, This poem was really a good read. I enjoyed every line. It's humorous and delightful. So sorry for Peter in the end.... Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:46 PM Thanks Karen I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Balveen Cheema October 25, 2016 at 12:55 PM I've read this poem many times anid it is always so fresh Jan! Love, Balveen Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:47 PM Thanks so much Balveen I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Lemuel Griffiths October 25, 2016 at 12:47 PM Great work.., I laughed out loud at the library computer..; A good balance of light and dark to make them squeal with delight at bedtime/story time.., cheers. Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:47 PM Thanks Lemuel I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Ralph Sergi October 25, 2016 at 12:45 PM Hi Jan: A beautiful and clever take off on the pumpkin eater. My compliments! Jan Allison March 30, 2017 at 12:47 PM Thanks so much Ralph I'm so sorry I've only just discovered your comment:-( hugs Jan xx

Mario Petralia October 25, 2016 at 12:07 PM Very entertaining!Left me with a smile. Jan Allison October 25, 2016 at 3:26 PM Thanks Mario :-) Andrea is a creative genius and I learned so so much about writing especially meter writing this poem with her:-) hugs Jan xx

Jean Murray October 25, 2016 at 10:50 AM I wondered how I could have missed this tasty treat Jan. You and Andrea have cheered me up no end. Fabulous poem for this time of year. Jan Allison October 25, 2016 at 3:31 PM It was written for a contest in my first year of soup writing with Andrea was an incredible experience and I learned ,so much from her:-) hugs Jan xx

Brenda Mcgrath October 25, 2016 at 10:40 AM Jan and Andrea, This is pure delightful! No wonder you got first place! It should be published in a poetry book. :) Jan Allison October 25, 2016 at 3:29 PM Maybe one day it will Brenda!:-) hugs Jan xx

Elaine George October 25, 2016 at 10:24 AM I can see why this took first place. What a delightful Halloween story, Jan. Elaine Jan Allison October 25, 2016 at 3:28 PM Thanks Elaine I learned so much from writing with Andrea she is an outstanding poet and I am honoured she wrote with a total novice like me:-) hugs Jan xx

John Mudge September 16, 2016 at 7:39 PM I should have commented on this a year ago. (That's how long ago I first read it.) I loved the wry ending. We are kindred souls. Jan Allison September 17, 2016 at 3:27 AM Thanks John - the credit for the poem goes to Andrea - it was awesome writing with her - I learned so so much:-) hugs Jan xx

Carole Duet September 11, 2016 at 7:01 PM I love this couplet Jan. ?? Jan Allison September 12, 2016 at 2:16 AM Thanks Carole:-) I learned so so much about writing from collaborating with Andrea - she is the most wonderful writer and so generous with her time and encouragement to new writers:-) I know I would never have flourished as I have without so much support from people here:-) hugs Jan xx

Wendy Rycroft August 12, 2016 at 11:35 AM Brilliant story enjoyable x had to read it all x xx and very funny xxx Jan Allison August 12, 2016 at 5:59 PM I learned so much from Andrea it was a really wonderful experience writing with her - she really is the most amazing poet and so generous with her help and encouragement to new writers:-) hugs Jan xx

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