A poem for today …

 My Darling, My Jack-o-lantern

By Jennifer Knox

My darling, my jack-o-lantern. No need

to waste your love upon the dead.

For when you give that unrequited smile

There stirs an errant fire within your head.

And what a merry chase the dead can give!

Run, and run by black grasping branches wild,

by blowing, flickering flames of autumn leaves.

I chased love, and got a jack-o-lantern's smile.

Yes, suddenly this jack-o-lantern turns,

And offers up a listing leer for love.

For the first time I feel hoarfrost,

And never will pursue this bitter cold.

Good evening zombie, zombie of my love!

My flame is hot — yours cold as the stars above.