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 face the world.”
Peter got up from his bed. He twirled and twirled and twirled!

“Oh 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 and grew 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 both 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 guy named Peter Pumpkin EATER.
Maybe you can guess now what became of our poor Peter!


Written by Andrea Dietrich and Jan Allison, for the 
Halloween Co-Writes Poetry Contest of  Diane Locksley
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Gauthier Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 1:37 PM
An awesome collaboration!! Such vivid imagery and fantastic imagination. A pleasure to read. Congrats on such a successful collaboration to both you and Jan.
Eastman Avatar
November 7, 2014 at 1:29 PM
Congratulations on this winning poem with Jan Allison... It was Great for Halloween.
Andresen Avatar
November 6, 2014 at 11:56 AM
- A little late .....But, I will congratulate you on a great winning poems Andrea og Jan! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Yvonne Avatar
November 5, 2014 at 6:52 PM
I finally cracked the puzzle. That man called Peter Pumpkin Eater ate Peter Pumpkin. Slowly, he just kept eating him until he petered out. How's that for cracking the case pumpkin? I didn't even have to get seedy to carve out that answer. I squashed it. Orange you glad someone guessed it. I patched the riddle. Easy as pie. Not that I would Pump my own Kin but I hear that happens in the south. blah blah blah blah
Nance Avatar
November 5, 2014 at 7:13 AM
Grats both of you on this wonderful Collaboration win !! :)
Guzzi Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 8:05 PM
Congrad's Light & Love
Smith Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 7:06 PM
Congrats you two on this great great piece and win....hugs Tim
Meier-Hans Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 6:09 PM
Congratulations on your first place top spot win Andrea. This is a brilliant story.
May Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 5:34 PM
Big congrats on the win Andrea...
Yvonne Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 3:17 PM
WOWOWOW! WHO IS NUMBER ONE?CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HUGE WIN!
Callus Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 1:57 PM
Reading this poem once again confirms my initial faith in this witty poem. Congratulations to both of you...you merit this first place! // paul
Allison Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 1:18 PM
WOHOOOOOO WE DID IT:-) Thanks Andrea for being such a wonderful person to collaborate with - I am simply over the moon with our top spot:-) Hugs Jan xxxx
Locksley Avatar
November 4, 2014 at 1:07 PM
I loved this co-write. Just the right blend of suspense and humor. Congratulations on your first-place win!
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 24, 2014 at 12:35 AM
What a poetry delight this was to read. You both did such a splendid job on creating a piece that inspires laughter and joy! Brava!!!#7 I am saving this to read to my grandchildren when they get a bit older. A Fav for sure!
Force Avatar
October 23, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Andrea...cute and creative..I needed a smile today..thanks...kj
Allison Avatar
October 19, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Andrea - we have been honoured with POEM OF THE WEEK - how awesome is that:-) Thanks for being incredible to work with I am delighted for us both:-) Hugs Janxxxxxx
Rutherford Avatar
October 19, 2014 at 12:52 PM
You need double sevens for this one Andrea !!! This one should be in all nursery rhymes books it's that good. Anne
Hicks Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 11:48 PM
I can see you really enjoyed yourself on writing this one, Andrea... it's a gem! I imagine pictures from a children's book coming to life on the page. Did "cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater" cross your mind at all when you were writing this?
Smith Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 7:20 PM
Stopping back with my congratulations on the feature...hugs Tim
Meier-Hans Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Congratulations on the poem of the day Andrea.
Nance Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 1:04 PM
Grats on poem of the day:)
Manassian Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Congrats on the POTD, you two! I commented on Jan's poem and now I comment on yours....Great collab. Hugs
Debole Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 9:37 AM
I can see why this is the poem of the day. So much fun to read! Really enjoyed this one. It's a poem that inspires. - Gail
Haight Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 9:06 AM
Congratulations to you, Andrea and Jan, for this enjoyable poem of the day! Sandra
Lamoureux Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 7:44 AM
Way to go Jan and Andrea! Love it!
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace