mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes,
cranberries, turkey, rolls, and stuffing
a Thanksgiving feast

lots of turkey
smothered with gravy
my plate isn't big enough

turkey soup, turkey casserole
turkey sandwich, turkey enchiladas...
thanksgiving leftovers

meeting your father
I see you in him
sincere blue eyes

the morning of Thanksgiving—
wondering who
will ruin the dinner

globs of whipped cream
to sweeten
your bitter façade

thankful for you
. . . and good food
a full heart and stomach

a wish bone lies
between unfinished potatoes
and stuffing

black Friday?
shopping online
at the thanksgiving meal

sitting in the recliner
with a food baby
the size of mars

the men watch football
the women go shopping
I go to sleep

Dad and Grandpa
watch football
with a rum and coke

walking up the hill
after turkey
                Will I make it?

so many treats
cover the table
the inevitable food coma

tight-fitting baseball mitt
over broken fingers
               family bonding

I loosen my belt
trying to get through
this second plate

the smell of brownies
fill the living room
thirsty for milk

she carves the turkey
humming along to
Christmas radio

third plate
a look out
of the corner of her eye

 
isitChristmasyet?
 

clear the table
unpack Christmas
from the boxes

ziplining down the hill
                  frozen cheeks
and laughter at the bottom

“amen” doesn’t sound the same
without your voice
Thanksgiving prayer

the suds overflow
the kitchen sink—
brothers reminiscing

days run together
when the sun doesn’t shine
homesick

promising to return
for Christmas too
—hugging your mother

Indian Summer
it’s a great morning
to be thankful

sleeping alone—
the pillow still
smells like you.

wishing you
could stay forever
fading taillights