Thanksgiving Gathering – A Poem by David Ritter

Thanksgiving Gathering

Thanksgiving comes but once a year,
And when it does, I show no fear.
For family gathers, as they do,
And all our quirks come shining through.

My brother’s arguing with our cousin,
Uncle’s three drinks in and already buzzin’.
My sister’s lost in her blue-lit phone,
The kids play Xbox in the spare room alone.

We’re playing poker, getting drunk,
Telling neighbors that strange smell’s a skunk.
The turkey’s burnt to “chef’s perfection,”
The dog humps my leg with odd affection.

Grandpa’s shouting loud at the TV,
Begging the Lions for a victory.
My aunt swears Thanksgiving makes her fat;
Grandma let one rip and blamed the cat.

Thanksgiving comes but once a year,
I love this chaos when we’re all near.
I wouldn’t trade this for anything more,
This crazy family’s what I’m thankful for.

— David Ritter