Thanksgiving

she let me set the table
and I carried the plates
from the china cabinet
with both hands

I breathed turkey and dressing and love
as each fork,knife & napkin were placed
on a table cloth smoothed by her hands
hands that cupped my face for a kiss

the tea was made in the green pitcher
and ice clinked in the glassses
rolls were checked and gravy stirred
cranberries poured into the cut glass dish

extra chairs were cleared of fabric and yarn
and set around the oak table
that she saw in the paper and put on layaway
before any of us were born

the crowded table held the feast
there was a plate and a place for everyone
and there still is







*The photograph is by Sean Justice on gettyimages.com