come one, come all.
gather 'round, gather 'round the table.
you'll find your invitations—
corporations' coupons—packed
between stories of Indigenous
People, shot by militarized cops in riot gear.
Water Protectors defending the river
while a black snake rears to poison the well.
tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades
replace ragged blankets draped in smallpox.
a tradition rooted in genocide
upheld in frigid North Dakota.
no need to ponder
the lasting legacy
of a leader who campaigned
on "hope" and "change." a hypocrite
continuing a tradition of colonial
aggression, lying by omission.
just another facet
of his presidential profession.
so drown the news of a fascist's
election in gravy and eggnog,
viscous substances to gorge
yourselves on. Nazis vandalizing
black churches with swastikas
must've escaped your notice.
vacuous, preaching
that Jesus is the reason
for the season, but i think
your savior would flip
your Thanksgiving Table over.
flimsy pretenses of gratitude
discarded hours later, chasing deals
before your stomach could even settle.
your brand new 4K TV
cost you over $4K, but couldn't give you
a clearer picture. you continue to disregard
the smoke signs and headlines,
pursuing the material.
consume!

this is the third thanksgiving without you.
this is the third thanksgiving without your laugh.
this is the third thanksgiving without the question "are your still playing?"
this is the third thanksgiving without that faint tobacco smell following you.

this is the fourth thanksgiving without you.
this is the fourth thanksgiving without you yelling at my uncle for his hair.
this is the fourth thanksgiving without you're criticisms about the soup being salty.
this is the forth thanksgiving without your two cents about politics.

i hate having two less seats at the table.

I’m thankful for the times
That I have what I need
And everyone brave enough
To fight against greed.

Thankful for the roof above my head,
And the socks on my feet
And all the great food I get to make and eat.

Grateful for the love I’m able to give
And even more, the love that I get
For all of the places and faces
I’ll never forget.

Memories of rejoice,
And those that we mourn.
I’m thankful for everything I’ve got
And so much more…

Falling leaves
Rising memories
A feast for the eyes
We serve one another
Love and understanding
It is the day to give thanks
For the many blessings of life
But to those who can only weep
We pray for your deliverance
And the harvest of your faith
Even though we always fall short
Because perfection is not purpose
But instead it is in how we forgive
And I too have failed my friend
As impossible as walking on water
To shower love upon my neighbor
I confess how I am unable to do so
Still I find myself sheltered in comfort
And though you have done no wrong
You have felt the sword of a mortal fate
But by the depths of your heart and soul
Your place among the blessed is reserved
For in every smile you pass along the way
There is a sadness not unlike yourself
They have not found the meaning of pain
Only the way to soothe a broken heart
In earthly treasures and a poison glass
And so from my own sadness I will ask of you
Is it the will of your smile to forgive a sinner?
For what is in you knows the weakness in me
And what is in me wants to love what is in you

Golden cockleshells grace the trees,
Encrusted with the sweet smell of day,
Crackling sounds amongst the bees,
With warnings you'll soon be away,

Cranberries and gravy guiding you home,
To give thanks with your family near,
Here i'll wait for your words alone,
Praying for that day you'll appear,

Biding my time till the festivities end,
Grave anticipation of your return,
Out of sorts and somewhat mad,
For your words i've began to yearn,

This thanksgiving the feast is absent,
As I lurk to feed on the words you grace,
Perhaps some distance may do us some good,
For i'm hungover on your taste,

But I can't deny this addiction,
Transported by the sound of your voice,
My soul captivated without restriction,
A sense of joy looms without choice,

So here is where I bid you farewell,
Think of me and return home soon,
I'll dream of the words that you did tell,
Of how we'll meet under the light of the moon,

We are told to give thanks for the harvest,
But I think this year i'll give thanks to you,
The light within me you've been able to harness,
With the slightest thing that you do.

I'm thankful for an awful lot
But where do I draw the line

I'll be thankful for my family
I'll be thankful for their memories

I'll be thankful for the friends I got
I'll be thankful for the things I've been taught

But where do I draw this line
When people tell me what to be thankful for

To be thankful to live here
To be thankful for freedom
To be thankful we're better off than some
To be thankful for things without considering the cost.

In good conscious. I cannot be
Thankful at the cost of misery

I will not be thankful at the expense of innocent lives.

I will not be thankful that things could be worse

I will not be thankful for this complacency

And while I'm **** sure thankful for the miracles in life.

I do so ever aware and never neglecting the cost of such things, that I am demanded to be thankful for.

Four years ago was Mom's last Thanksgiving.
Just one year later, she was no longer living.
I wasn't as thankful for her as I should've been.
Back in 2012, I didn't know that she'd never be celebrating Thanksgiving again.
Four years ago was the last Thanksgiving that Mom celebrated.
Be thankful for your parents because they should be appreciated.

it's thanksgiving.
i'm so grateful for everyone in my life
and
all the incredible things i've done this year,
but i still feel like something is missing.

(and it's you)

I'm thankful for so many things,
   too many to list here;
But just a few that mean the most,
   the one's I hold so dear.

I'm thankful for my family,
   close loved ones and my friends;
Those ones who've helped me up at times,
   I'd felt I reached the end!

I'm thankful for my precious ones,
   my daughter and my son;
Both growing up to fine adults,
   amazing on their own!

I'm thankful for this time of year,
   feel bad for those who can't;
To make a list of all the things,
   each blessing to give thanks.

Now last of all I'm thankful for,
   the feeling of true love;
Forgiveness for each one of us,
   each blessing from above!