Thanksgiving Turkeys

aroma so rich, that's the bait
from the kitchen it emanates
Mother waves her ladle, as fast as she's able, and with a
-cluck-cluck-cluck-
fends off those who cannot wait
with intentions veiled so very thin
sister makes a hollow offer to chip in
she fakes a reach for the peeler, that little stealer, and with a
-scratch-scratch-scratch-
is off with a scrap of skin
in a voice as smooth as Bing's
distract Mom with carols, that's brother's thing
lures her into a dance, then takes his chance, and with a
-peck-peck-peck-
is off with a crispy wing
around the table, this den of thieves
with forks in hand and rolled up sleeves
upon the n of amen, it--officially--begins, and with a
-gobble-gobble-gobble-
they hatch schemes for Christmas Eve

Photo by Jeffry Pike
Copyright © 2001 The President and Fellows of Harvard College.
All rights reserved. Comments. Last modified Thu, Sep 20, 2001.