all through November
the turkey
calls me home

Thanksgiving in the caf
the line stretches
out the doors of RTUC

home for Thanksgiving
passing time
peeling potatoes

setting the table
with grandma
football game in the background

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

swallow joke
about turkey basters—
Mom rounds the corner

split the bone
to get a wish
sorry grandma

youngest to oldest
we line up
to gather our food

the second plate
piled higher
than the first

TOP half champion

CHAMPION
 

BOTTOM half champion

waking up
the smell of
pie in the oven

homemade pumpkin pie
too bitter
I take small bites

I sit next to my sister at dinner
she leans over
and steals my turkey

trying to describe
a whole semester
over Thanksgiving dinner

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

trying to avoid politics
I tell my dad about
my panic attacks

thankful for peace
thankful for family
maybe next year

thanksgiving coma
I pass out
for 6 hours

driving home
from Thanksgiving dinner
pants too tight