Thanksgiving Poem

We have a tradition of Thanksgiving Poems in our family. It started years ago, when I told the family that everyone was expected to read an original poem between turkey dinner and pie dessert. Bless their hearts, they've gone along with it ever since. They range from silly to serious, from turkeys to thanks, but they always bring the Thanksgiving spirit to the table.

Of course I can't post this year's poem yet. That would ruin the surprise! Plus I haven't written it yet. Haha!

But here's a poem from a couple of years ago, to get you inspired:

Checklist

Sheets washed for company

Check the pantry for pecans

Final grades due by Monday

And make a new seating chart

Checklist:

Black olives, basmati rice, whole milk, cranberries, nutmeg, maple syrup.

Meanwhile, great clouds sail overhead—

The world is so wide.

Ten thousand miles or more away

Women cook their meals

Beneath the Southern Cross,

Knowing strange stars, strange names for

Father, mother, feast, friend.

I pat the pie crust into shape,

Hand movements echoed across so many hearths,

Pie crust, tortilla, flat bread,

Feasts for our families

Come, child, grandfather, uncle, cousin,

Come to the table

Hands stretched out in welcome

Come to our home, this place

Of feasting

Of family.

(Thanksgiving 2008)