Jack O' Lantern Soup

Dancing squirrels

have taken note

of the pre-Thanksgiving

feast—

as windblown leaves,

soggy,

like fresh strips

of paper-mâché,

are stuck to everything

in sight—across our lawn, the path to our door.

I wonder, what would they think

if I sprinkled some Sriracha

or pepper-apple chutney

on top

of the jack o’ lantern soup

sitting

on our front porch,

rainwater

filling up

to the smile?

I prefer mine

with sour cream

and a little kick:

a half sandwich,

toasted

with lots

of pepperoncinis.

Do you think

they would mind

sharing

if I brought

and topped

it

with roasted

pepitas

and a caramelized pecan

or two?

I bet Beatrix would know.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

For dVerse Poetics: Food for Thought

Note: I made pumpkin soup for the first time last year.  Soo good.