The Evil Jack O'Lantern

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Author's Notes on "The Evil Jack O'lantern": Here is another contribution from me for Halloween 2014. I constructed this particular piece as a "Couplet" with each two-line stanza rhyming in an AA, BB, CC, DD, EE, FF, GG, HH sequential configuration. I enjoyed writing this piece and hope you will find it of interest since "Halloween" is just around the corner!! (Gary Bateman - September 25, 2014)

Walking near the Old Dark House under a morose moon sky, I spied a furtive glance at Old Demon Jack’s big ugly evil eye. This Jack O’lantern is not by any means a friendly funny face, For he makes your blood run cold with a leering gruesome grimace. While looking at people with a distinct Mephistophelian delight, Both of Old Demon Jack’s eyes give all a quite palpable fright. This Jack O’lantern sits perched by the Old Dark House front door, Waiting for each Halloween to seek its revenge and even the score. Old Demon Jack’s spirit eternally lives on in this undying fruit gourd, Annually resurrected for Halloween—one of the Devil’s own horde. This Jack O’lantern is indeed a macabre physical object from Hell’s pit, And Old Demon Jack’s spirit lives there possessing souls as He sees fit. On Halloween beware of the Old Dark House there on Old Hob’s Lane, As Old Demon Jack and The Devil, will cause you agony and unending pain. Now you know this is not the house on Halloween to make a trick or treat, For in the end it will be your final destination and you’re The Devil’s Treat! Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Schoeningen, Germany (September 25, 2014)

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Laura Breidenthal

Date: 8/27/2015 10:12:00 PM

Well done! Your dark themes are always a delight to me! I really like the third stanza! Clever rhyming! Always, Laura

Laura Breidenthal
Date: 8/29/2015 11:18:00 PM

Your mind works like crazy Gary! I am excited! Keep me updated! Would love to read, once you are finished, as I know you put your heart in all that you do. ~Laura

Gary Bateman
Date: 8/29/2015 1:53:00 PM

Hello Laura!! Thanks for your note and continuing reads of my dark stuff. As I write this note to you, I'm presently working a rather detailed short story (5,000 words at least) based on the original theme from this very poem touching on "the Old Dark House." It is entitled: "The House on Old Hobart Lane," which I've expanded into a past centuries' and present-day story of Witchcraft in a fictional setting in Massachusetts. Hint: "Old Hobart Lane" is a cover for "Old Hob's Lane" with "Hob" being a Middle English reference to "The Devil." It will be a great story when I'm finished with it!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 9/26/2014 8:28:00 PM

I really like this one Gary. It is definitely one of the best Halloween ones I have read on here. There are many because it is one of the contest themes.

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/2/2014 4:39:00 PM

Thanks Maurice . . . I guess I should have paid attention to the Halloween Contests. I wrote this one independently from any contest entry. Regardless, it was much fun indeed. I am quite pleased my friend that you liked it. Cheers, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 9/26/2014 5:30:00 AM

really excellent piece of writing love how you drew this smiling darkhorse is my pen name

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/26/2014 6:08:00 AM

Liam . . . Glad you liked it. It is a small world my friend, isn't it?? with the pen name and all!! I always enjoying hearing from you Liam. As I am pretty sure you are Irish, you should take a read of my poem: "Leprechaun in My Bottle," a spoof I did of myself based on Irish ancestry in my family. It's fun read!! All the Best, Gary

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 9/26/2014 5:10:00 AM

Schrecklich aber wunderbar, mein freund, Gary. Scary but wonderful my friend Gary! Powerful, a seven!

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/26/2014 6:25:00 AM

Danke fuer deinem Kompliment!! Ich bedanke mich sehr mein gutter freund Demetrios!! I finde das auch so, weil in der Welt vor Dichtung schrecklicke sachen gefaellt mir auch sehr gut. Demetrios, my wife, who is German, always reminds me that I have penchant for penning dark themes. Thanks again my friend!! Besten Gruesse, Gary

Terry O'Leary

Date: 9/25/2014 2:23:00 PM

Nice poem, Gary... I'll try to avoid the place next tme around... ;-))

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/25/2014 7:33:00 PM

Terry . . . That would be a great idea to do so. This is the kind of house and place most people would not want to find themselves situated in. Although this is a dark read, I did enjoyed sketching it out as a classic spoof for Halloween. Thanks so much for your comment!! Cheers, Gary