the pumpkin

you buy
a pumpkin.
a large orange
pumpkin
and set it on
your porch.
people
walk by and
smile at your
pumpkin,
they tell you
how nice it is.
how well
you've carved
the face
within its
thick yellowed
skin. who is it
they ask, who's
face have you
carved in your pumpkin,
it's very very
scary, especially
with that candle
burning bright
within. oh, it's me
you say, a self
portrait, which leaves
them only to nod
and go quickly on
their way.