Hit the Road Jack

Like a pumpkin—insides carved out—
A Jack O’ minus the lantern
         To shine light through the triangles,
         To cast the flickering shadows,
         To excite- in fun- late at night,
         To replace the trick with the treat,
         To smolder in the morning light
With the heat of the sweets in reach,
Is the man, cheated by his choice,
         Whose orange eyes droop and rot in time,
         Whose life if a lifeless shadow,
         Whose treat was a trick of the night,
         Whose nights bring hollow memories,
         Whose mornings are cold in the light
Of the triangle of six eyes,
Of which only four eyes could see.