Thankful

I ran into Tom Turkey this morning

As he was leaving a bar.

"Starting early?" I asked as I

Stopped and got out of my car.

 

"Yes," he said, "I'm drowning my sorrows--

More than just a tad.

Many have lost their loved ones lately.

That's why I'm so sad.

 

"After the recent mass shootings,

How are people able

To sit down and be thankful this year

At their Thanksgiving table?

 

"Some are going to mourn as they

Sit next to empty chairs

And ask one another plaintively

If anybody cares."

 

"I know what you mean," I said, "for I

Wonder the very same thing.

Deaths by shootings in this country

Seem to be in full swing."

 

"I guess," Tom mused, "that people will be

Thankful for what they've got.

Moreover, they will probably be

Thankful that they weren't shot."

 

"Maybe, " I said, "people could be

Thankful that we have the means

To stop all these atrocities

And end these horrible scenes.

 

"But that won't happen unless we act.

Certainly that is key.

People who care about this country

Probably will agree.

 

"And then you've got Putin's war

Devastating Ukraine!"

"Don't get me started on THAT!" he cried,

"You're piling pain upon pain!"

 

"Gotta go now," he said, as he walked

Away with a wobbly gait,

And added, "I'm thankful that I did NOT

End up on a Thanksgiving plate."

-by Bob B (11-24-22)