Jack o' the lantern! Stingy, cunning Jack,
Who tricked the devil, and whacked him on his back,

Who with a golden cross, trapped this very devil,
And layed the battered cross, on the tree to settle.

The devil's own features, were twisted in fury,
And grumbling, he listened, to Jack as the jury.

Jack cackled and chortled, and smirked and grinned,
And jeered and mocked, and scorned and preened.

"A very naughty boy!" admonished the devil,
As he looked on at Jack, bursting to test his mettle.

Jack pranced and danced, around in jollity,
Whilst the devil watched him, with a feigned casuality,

"My soul for your freedom," bargained Jack with a careless air,
While the devil agreed, fixing him a murderous glare.

Now Jack is dead, but his soul cannot find,
A place to rest, with all so unkind.

His soul the earth roams, wandering around endlessly,
Whilst holding steady aloft, a burning coal relentlessly.

His glowing turnip torch, shining orange and bright,
From whence came his name, the pumpkin orange light.

Jack o' the lantern! Clever, serpentine Jack,
The sly, crafty lad, who trails the dirt track!

#jacko'lantern #orangepumpkin #halloweentheme #gothicpoetry #irishfolklore

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