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As I was putting this selection of
poetry together, I kept thinking of the things I am thankful for on this Thanksgiving.
While I am thankful for many things in my life, one in particular stood out. This year I
am most thankful for my friends. They have been wonderful as always, and I want to say to
each one of them that they mean the world to me. One friend in particular deserves special
thanks: my best friend, Dawn. Without her, I have no idea where I would be today. I wrote
the following poem to express the things I like most about our friendship.
To Dawn
by Lone Wolf |
I give thanks for
Having such a great friend
Whose love will never end
I give thanks for
Having you in my life
Amidst the turmoil and strife
I give thanks for
All you continue to do
Just because you're you
I give thanks for
Each day we get to talk
Yes, even for those long walks
I give thanks for
Being given this chance
To give you a small glance
I give thanks for
You giving me a hand
For all your help is grand
I give thanks for
The unending support
That includes words of comfort
I give thanks for
You always being there
Showing how much you care
I give thanks for
Those moments every once in a while
When I need it most you make me smile
I give thanks for
Having met someone so dear
Whose friendship will be cherished through the years
I give thanks for
Your very special way
Of knowing just what to say
I give thanks for
Each of these things
And for the happiness you bring |
***
While searching through Passion's archives, I came
across a poem by Nancy Ness called "Cape Cod Cranberry Sonnet". I thought it
gave some interesting insight into where the cranberries come from that we eat every
Thanksgiving. Once I got Nancy's permission to use this piece, I asked her to provide a
little background information. I think she says it best.
"I've been a Cape Cod addict since my teen-age
years when I was what we called a 'summer resident,' so it only seemed natural that I
would become a permanent resident as an adult. Visitors tend to correlate Cape Cod to its
endless beaches and summer festivities, but are usually unaware of the year-round
intrinsic beauty of this wonderful place. One of our most favorite times of the year is
the fall. The weather is perfect, the beaches are still warm, and its cranberry-harvesting
time. Local folks always look forward to stopping by the side of the road to watch as
cranberries are collected from atop the flooded bogs. It's certainly a poetic experience -
so this poem pretty much wrote itself."
Cape Cod Cranberry
Sonnet
by Nancy Ness (Nan) |
The waves roll on and gulls above soar high,
Lone foghorns chanting Cape Cod's solitude
The dunes at rest beneath the autumn sky
Envelop peaceful beaches once imbued.
Bright foliage adorns the countryside
Surrounding sundried bogs of cranberries.
This summer tourists' verdant welcome tide
Now boasts majestic hues of burgundies.
Synthetic lakes spew forth from each bog's moat
Releasing berries for the harvest day,
And buoyant crimson carpets lie afloat
In just abeyance being scooped away
To conjure up a sauce with Ocean Spray,
And have with turkey for Thanksgiving Day. |
***
This next selection was written by Sven, often referred to as
"Passion's resident romantic." It is a picture of some things he thinks about
from Thanksgivings past.
When asked what Thanksgiving was like in his family, Sven replied,
"We would all gather at a different house every year, all of my mom's family
and
it would just feel right. Like there was nothing that would keep us from being
there." The following poem is a reflection of those times.
Thanksgiving
by Sven |
autumn's last leaf falls
the harvest now over
a chill fills the air
in this home
warmth surrounds you
like a blanket at night
memories shared
love shared
hopes shared
a time to reflect
and a time to look ahead
to give thanks for all
prayers offered
prayers heard
Thank you
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***
Once I found this next selection in the archives I just knew no
article about Thanksgiving would be complete without it. I appreciate Gunslinger giving me
permission to share this with you all.
Thanksgiving
(From The Turkey's Point Of View)
by Gunslinger |
Thank God! It's finally over -
And now I'll get some rest
It's been two weeks since I have dared
To go back to the nest.
I trust my mate is still around
My lovely hen, dear Mabel -
I hope she wasn't dumb enough
To grace some human's table.
I'll never know why human folk
Think it's so much fun
To hit the woods and murder -
We turkeys with those guns
I'm six years old, last hatching -
And friend that's quite a feat
With open season on us birds
When we become
just MEAT!
I'll strut my stuff, and gobble loud
For just awhile
again!
I'll hide deep in the forest
For it's Christmas coming then!
So why did I hen-scratch this out?
And post it here for you?
That you might see Thanksgiving
From the turkey's point of view. |
From ALL of us at Passions in Poetry, we wish you and
yours a very Happy Thanksgiving 2000.
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