Living

The Re-echo Club: as by Austin Dobson (Pumpkin Eater)

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From The Re-echo Club

Living

Golden-skinned, delicate, bright,
Wondrous of texture and hue,
Bathed in a soft, sunny light,
Pearled with a silvery dew.
Fair as a flower to the view,
Ripened by summer's soft heat,
Basking beneath Heaven's blue,--
This is the Pumpkin of Pete.

Peter consumed day and night,
Pumpkin in pie or in stew;
Hinted to Cook that she might
Can it for winter use, too.
Pumpkin croquettes, not a few,
Peter would happily eat;
Knowing content would ensue,--
This is the Pumpkin of Pete.

Everything went along right,
Just as all things ought to do;
Till Peter,--unfortunate wight,--
Married a girl that he knew.
Each day he had to pursue
His runaway Bride down the street,--
So her into prison he threw,--
This is the Pumpkin of Pete.

Lady, a sad lot, 'tis true,
Staying your wandering feet;
But 'tis the best place for you,--
This is the Pumpkin of Pete.

✦ ✦ ✦

A parody by Carolyn Wells, written in the manner of Austin Dobson as a contribution to the imagined Re-Echo Club (Pumpkin Eater). It is headed "Ballade of a Pumpkin" and ends with an L'Envoi.

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “The Re-echo Club: as by Austin Dobson (Pumpkin Eater).” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/292/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “The Re-echo Club: as by Austin Dobson (Pumpkin Eater).” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/292/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Carolyn Wells