ANOTHER THANKSGIVING

Way back before I was born
in 1864 to be exact;
President Lincoln signed into being
“Thanksgiving Day” for a fact.

It was to be a celebrated time
of gratitude n’ thanks.
The sharing of a good harvest
with others-no matter their ranks.

A table would stretch long with turkey
n’ wild life; from hunters bow.
Squashes, tatter, lots of vegetables
all lined up in different rows.

All kinds of berries could be there
with fruits polished bright as mirror.
Breads still hot out of the ovens,
as each guest gathers near.

More gifts of tasty homemade pies
custards, puddings n’ the likes,
would find a place at the festive table
much to everyone’s delight.

Hand churned butter along with cream
would adorn each visitor’s station,
with large drinks of apple cider
in various stages of fermentation.

The list of food would go on n’ on
along with the giving n’ the sharing.
Each one would find a place to set,
without thought of what each were wearing.

Hand n’ hand, they would bow their heads
n’ together “Thank God for their food.’’
To complain about anything else
at this point would be rude.

A Thanksgiving Day, like no other
n’ for some it may be the last.
Let us all be a little more grateful
than we have been in the past.

MOM

DUMP THE PLUMP

It is well into the 8th week
of dieting away the pounds.
My zipper isn’t quite as tight.
My bulges are less, I’ve found.

My jeans no longer hug my {blank}
n’ are even loose in places.
My buttonholes are all frayed out
from the strain of over-weighted.

My pockets have never held a thing
cause my fingers wouldn’t fit in-
due to the skin tight pants
over the layer of fat within.

Now, I can carry a hanky
n’ the keys to my car.
I can even shove my whole hand in
if I wanted to go that far.

I still crave that bit of chocolate
n’ things not good for me.
I’ve drank a ton on water,
made a thousand trips to pee.

I passed up all the delicious stuff
to keep the pounds away.
All the rest, tasted like sawdust;
{the price a dieter has to pay.}

But was it really worth it,
to shed those extra pounds?
To drop a size in my clothes,
because there’s less of me around.

To see the envy on the faces
of those that came up short.
To know that when they speak of Fat.
my name won’t be brought forth.

Oh yes, it was really worth it
to be able to stand up tall,
n’ feel good about myself
yet to the world, look small.

MOM

THIS ONE’S ON THE HOUSE

Welcome to the place, my friend

tell me what’ll you have?
You look like you’ve just lost

the only friend you had.

But you sure did pick the right place
if you’re trying to forget.
So join all my regulars

n’ I’ll fill you in a bit.

If money is your problem
than you’re not alone.
“Excuse me just a minute,
while I get that telephone.

No…he’s not here tonight,
but I’ll tell him that you called”
Now, where was I, friend
yes…my regulars, I recall.

That lady at the end of the bar
has been married several times;
She still sits n’ drinks
true happiness she can’t find.

That man beside her has a wife
who waits each night at home.
She thinks that he’s faithful
n’ out drinking all alone.

The guy in that checkered shirt
keeps everyone laughing here.

It’s sad the alcoholic
covers his life with beer.

This poor “Lady of the Evening”
is looking for a better life,
but she won’t find it in here
among this grief n’ strife.

N’ the man that entered the bathroom

lives on Welfare everyday

n’ you will only see him here
when he collects his pay.

Those children playing outside,
are the couple’s at the table.
He’s not a devoted father

hers is a Common Wife label.

The one that’s talking to his friend

about the great time he has fishing,
never worked much in his life

cause he lacks the ambition.

His friend there beside him

is a great one for a fight.
There’s illness in his family

n’ nothing turns out right.

My bragger here that ordered

gets louder with each drink.
He says he can do so much

n’ never stops to think.

And me, I work here extra

afraid of middle age setting in;
my wife has gone n’ left me.
NOW WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM, FRIEND?

MOM

THOSE SILLY THINGS

Those silly things that people say,
You’ve heard them, haven’t you?
Like answering your telephone
in the wee hours after two.

N’ hearing, “Is your husband in?”
Now where else would he be?
So I tell them I don’t expect him
till a little after three.

I feel my way back to bed
n’ nudge my husband awake
n’ tell him he missed an important call
cause he stayed out so late.

Yes, people say such silly things
n’ you hear them every day,
like the question, “Are you back?”
when you return from a holiday.

You just answer “No,” to it
“I’m here only spiritually,
I thought it would surprise you some,
if you got a look at me..”

Or you’re stuck in an elevator
n’ waiting for help to come.
The first thing that you hear is
“Where are you?” from someone.

You answer, “In an elevator.”
You hear, “Are you stuck?”
While answering “Yes” to it,
you wonder if this is luck!

The reply to you is typical
as nerves are beyond repair.
It’s “Stay right there n’ don’t move,
till we get you out of there!”

Then when poor Henry died
at an age of 92
Gathered at the Funeral Home
were some old friends, he knew.
One gazed at poor old Henry
wiped a tear n’ did relate,
“I don’t think I can recall
when Henry looked so great.”

MOM

What It Means To Give

A gift given in love,
means a gift with no strings.
A way of saying to the receiver,
you’re my everything.
A gift of time is special,
when someone needs a hand.
It says to the receiver,
let me help if I can.

A gift can be monetary,
if given from the heart.
It says to the receiver,
I’m glad to add my part.
A gift can include prayers,
said for someone’s concern.
It says to the receiver,
this time it is God’s turn.

A gift can be an ear,
that hears without asking.
It says to the receiver,
your words will find compassion.
A gift can be friendship,
in good times n’ in bad.
It says to the receiver,
I care if you’re happy or sad.

But if the gift is given
with a payback in mind.
It says to the receiver,
we are even at this time.
And if the gift came about
from guilt, as some do.
It says to the receiver,
you know, I didn’t want to.

A gift should always be,
just a gift as one perceives.
It says to everyone involved,
\”It’s better to give …. than receive.\”

My Mom

READING A BOOK

Between the covers of a book
a world can open wide
n’ let you enter briefly
to the word that lie inside.

For a chance of adventure
or information at your finger tips;
it’s a place for you to visit
while your mind makes the trips.

First you have to be able to read
to experience the joy, first hand,
to ride with the “Old Man and The Sea”
or fly with “Peter Pan.”

I admire the writers talent
as the words bounce off the page.
They bring pleasure n’ knowledge
to people of every age.

They awaken feelings of love
of hate, dread or fear;
combined with compassion,
as each chapter draws near.

They stir up hidden things
that we thought [only I could feel.]
They put them down on paper
n’ made us feel normal n’ real.

A book has two opinions
either you like it or not,
as you leaf thru the pages
till “The End” makes you stop.

The author’s choice of text
be it fiction or plain fact,
makes me often wish that I
had been the one, that said that!

MOM