Thank you, Bridget Magee for hosting Poetry Friday this week. It’s so fun to hear about Americans celebrating Thanksgiving outside the U.S., in this case, Switzerland. Please stop by at Wee Words for Wee Ones and read her poem.
I envy those who have large families visiting from far away, catching up on news, sharing food and reconnecting over a holiday table. But I feel blessed that my husband and I at least have our two sons with us. And rather than miss a minute with them because I’m cooking, we’re going out for dinner.
At this time of political turmoil and the lack of moral values in our government, I would like to make a tribute to a President Lincoln, who wanted the best for the United States. He was responsible for making Thanksgiving a national holiday. Though I don’t have a photo of Lincoln on hand, I do have a photo of my youngest son, Matt, who dressed up as Lincoln for a third grade show. The picture inspired me then, with his honest gaze at the viewer. It inspires me even more now when honesty is hard to come by from world leaders.
This will be a short post, but I’d like to share some more honest feelings, with a poem I just wrote from, well, a turkey.
A TURKEY'S PREDICAMENT
If I were a turkey
I'd stay in the barn or
hide in the pig pen
until I was darn sure
Thanksgiving was over
this day of the great feast
the thank you extravaganza.
They could ask for volunteers, at least.
Whether or not it’s Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for. Today I’m grateful for new friends at Poetry Friday.
Thanks for the giggle – a fun poem(though perhaps not to fun for the turkey!) Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Oh my, those turkeys are in quite a fix this week. Your poem is delightful, and I love that photo of your son as Lincoln. I hope we find more honesty and courage in our leaders–and in ourselves as we take part in shaping our country’s next steps.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday with your sons. Even in troubling times, there is much for which to be thankful. On a side note, in addition to Abraham Lincoln, Sarah Hale deserves credit for her 38-year campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday! Laurie Halse Anderson has a great book entitled, “Thank you, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving!” I read it to my class every year–it’s a great tribute to perseverance and the power of the pen! Happy Holidays!
Yes, I thought about that book but didn’t have a copy to draw from. Yes she does deserve credit!
Terrific Lincoln pic of your son, Janice, and your poem is delightful! Any leftover pie? 🙂
No more pie. But we still had too much to eat.
Hi, Janice!
It was nice to meet you in Baltimore, all the way from Syracuse! Glad you get to celebrate with your small family. Going out makes sense if you don’t have lots of people to help you cook. Your little “volunteers at least” poem is funny! [But does it have a typo–pig pig?]
Here’s to avoiding conscription!
Yikes! Thanks for bringing the typo to my attention. It was great to meet you at NCTE.
Janice: My first time reading your blog… I’m interested in the Salt City story, and I enjoyed your post about NCTE. I thought about how I would feel if I had gone, and it would have been the same way. I am a teacher and writer, but not an English teacher. Sort of a daunting experience… I hope you were able to enjoy it. Thanks again for your post… please visit me if you find time: https://kceastlund.blogspot.com/
I really enjoyed it. It was a pleasure and I learned a great deal. Everyone was so welcoming.
This is a funny poem to read right after Tim Kulp’s! You two were channeling the same sympathy for the turkey!
Poor turkey! (But I would also be worried about any volunteers 🙂 ) We enjoyed a vegetarian Thanksgiving this year because I was the only carnivore.
Happy Thanksgiving, Janice!
Your son does look appropriately trustworthy as Abe! Nice ending to “A Turkey’s Predicament” 🙂
Thanks, Tabatha!
I wonder how many turkeys would volunteer? Maybe they’d volunteer the chickens next door…
Thanks so much for participating in Poetry Friday, Janice! =)
Good idea. If turkeys were smart they would!
Happy Thanksgiving, Janice. While I loved your turkey poem, your NCTE post below caught my eye. I, too, was a first time attendee and boy was it overwhelming at first. Such a wonderful celebration of literacy and champions of such. Cheers!
I did have a wonderful time at NCTE. I felt so welcomed, which reinforced my feeling that teachers are such giving, smart and positive individuals.