jack-o'-lantern

[UtzoztU]

put your face in close
brimming flames of rose
the teeth cut by a knife
in an obscure face of death
the inviting grin
so let us look upon these now
illuminating shadows whole

centers filled with magic
long-lost seeds gutted from

noisome chatter
as voices cluster

crackling in the air
a little stem stuck there
hemmed with earth

so lowly it sits
plump and orange--

with the face of a man
or some captured god,--

a spell put upon
to ward off the evil one:

as the moon takes off
its layers, one by one,
concocting shadows

put your face in and peer
as the burning effigy wilts
just a flit and just a jilt:
it keeps the darkness lit--
and jealous so without a word,--
its secret is forever ours.