‘Twas the day before Thanksgiving and all through the store
everyone was scurrying, trying to get more,
For an ordinary dinner would not be enough
this would be the day for to overstuff.
Each basket was bursting with fare for the table
a wondrous feast to consume all they were able.
I had my list, and made myself ready
for aisles to be crowded and general mood be unsteady.
Then what to my wonder my eyes did behold
but empty shelf space where things had been sold.
Gone were the items I needed for cooking,
for baking, for roasting. Around I started looking.
Ingredients were missing, many shelves were laid bare.
My Thanksgiving dinner so poorly would fare.
Then to my amazement and those around me,
a massive cart pulled along by an employee.
This cart was so massive, gargantuan, so full,
of food stuffs it seemed difficult to pull.
Exhausted I am sure by the laborious feat,
the shelves became restocked with goodies to eat.
Green beans, stuffing, all kinds of bread,
varieties of potatoes including sweet and the red,
Cranberries, green beans, pumpkin pie filling,
mushrooms, onions, cream for the whipping.
Everything needed to create my feast.
Nothing would go missing, not in the least.
As quick as I could I loaded my cart,
and went to check out and then for home depart.
The checkout was crowded with lines incredibly long.
My wait could be hours and I would have to be strong.
Settling in for a lengthy line wait,
I pulled out my phone to text I would be late.
The checkers were harried, just trying to
keep everything moving and get customers through.
As I patiently waited I noticed the crowd,
some were quite pleasant, others unbearably loud.
People complained about the crowd in the store
others of family members, and hosting them a chore.
One person in particular tried to engage
in a discussion about inaccurate history with rage.
I told him that while I mostly agree,
there was more to this day, at least for me.
My family does not celebrate this holiday
the way most families might, and that is okay.
There was the Mayflower, and Pilgrims, no fail,
and important to note, but not the whole tale.
Yes a lot is wrong with the story of what has been,
but instead of focusing on negatives we take a new spin.
Thanksgiving to me is a day to set aside,
reflect, be grateful, in accomplishments take pride.
Set aside a day to give thanks and celebrate,
be intentional, be grateful, these things are great,
Use this day as an opportunity to appreciate
all that you have, and focus on love not on hate.
At this time the checker was done ringing my sale
and I loaded the bags in the cart back home to sail.
I turned to this socially conscious stranger
and said “I hope you don’t feel any danger
from my saying this to you in this age we are living
I truly hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.”