when people in america (or many other countries) say
"i have nothing to be thankful for"
it upsets me because
being "poor" in america is nothing compared to being
poor in many other places
it frustrates me that people with nothing to eat but grass can find
more
to be thankful about then
someone with endless possibilities of success
stop
complaining
about
what you
don't
have and be thankful
for everything that you
**do

for the hungry
in body, mind and soul
is everybody's business
should be a common goal

"we have ours my poet friend
a special day? indeed...
soup kitchens aplenty
to minister the need"

but the drunkard with his bottle
the druggie with her pipe
may not be all that grateful
may even cuss and gripe

why? you may ask yourself.
it's common. it's not news
let me tell you as a one who knows
i walked in them there shoes
holidays are hard
the addicted have the blues

"they deserve rejection
they are all at fault
they'd pull up their bootstraps
if they were worth their salt!"

but the folks i speak of
have burnt up family. friends.
it is a cycle they can't stop
sans God it never ends

so giving them a dinner
may fill a certain need
but spreading out the Love of God
is an enduring seed

don't talk down to them
if they are ready, share
you'll find they may just listen
and are tired of despair

we do have a burden
we have a heavy load
showing love to the unlovable
where the rubber hits the road

but if i didn't do it
a hypocrite i'd be
that person with the bottle
save God's grace

could be ME.


SoulSurvivor
(C) 11/23/2015

Thinking of where they have been
has made me realize
that to me Thanksgiving
has always been a day I spent with my family.
The same people each year
as they repeat their ancient tributes.

People idly stand around the kitchen--
around an island of food
the same food each year:
of salami, chips, crackers
and an array of different cheeses
ranging from simply American to pepper jack
the one I've never seen someone eat.

It's a day where time has frozen
albeit Thanksgiving day always changes,
but the holiday always stays the same
my family is a concoction of numinous ideas
that when smashed together starts to combust.

It is where we relive our previous life
a content collection of relatives
who do not see each other that much,
but on this day can realize the love we have.

Even as reality leaves the day behind
and people begin to change
this is the moment we'll always have
because even when they leave for good
it'll be our day to thank them for the time we had.

The year has turned it's circle
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!

Old Rhyme

I'll be fall and you'll be the change.
A cold wind for you to rearrange.
Raked in pile, colored by time you are.
Flying in the wind from your origin root by fare.

-k.w.

I don't understand Thanksgiving
I don't understand it at all
Instead of giving thanks for things
We sit and watch football
Americans give thanks each year
For the bounties in their life
Like freedom, food and housing
A loving family, little strife
But, in Canada, it's different
We give thanks, slightly the same
But, ours is a holiday from politicians
It's not held the day we came
We watch football, and eat turkey
Gorge ourselves and fall asleep
Leaving dishes till tomorrow
We know the mess will keep
but, if Thanksgiving has true meaning
And we give thanks, I want to know
Who are we truly thanking really
Is it God ? I need to know
Are we thanking God for loving us
Even though he can't be seen
Do we thank ourselves for what we've earned
It's not as easy as it seems
I mean, really when it comes down to it
What is Thanksgiving truly for?
Is it to gorge ourselves on turkey
So we can watch football some more
It's not something that I'm fond of
It's a day off work, that's all
I'm thankful for my bounty
But, I don't know who to call
To tell that I am thankful
I'm a transplant here you see
I don't understand Thanksgiving
It don't mean much to me
If a homeless man is thankful
Is it right that some are not
They just eat and watch their football
All the things that he has not
He's as thankful as the next man
In fact I'd say he's more
Because to him, a true thanksgiving
Doesn't need to have a score.