Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Gratitude in Odd Years

Given two knees to bend in prayer
And two lips with which to shape the air
Two hands to fold, two eyes to close-
So evenly appreciation shows.

For gratitude's an even state,
A grace to grace reciprocate,
A gift that we give in reflection
Of fortune smiling our direction.

The fourth Thursday in November
We appoint the day that we'll remember
Over second servings, to raise some cheer
For blessings we received this year.

How puzzling, then, the mystery-
That troubles come ennumbered three
And juggling, each of us must labor
To praise all those that plague our neighbor.

And so since we pray annually,
And count our blessings manually,
Some ambivalence is fine
For thanksgiving given in aught-nine.

ODD, adj. Indivisible by two, as a second portion.

21 comments:

TLP said...

It's so odd that I'm first. Mmmm.

Lovely poem.

As to numbers, each is divisible by two, you just end up with a half portion (or less), which is often enough.

Jim said...

My saddest (now) Thanksgiving:
When I was age 20 or so my 'friend' let stay in her apartment over the Thanksgiving as she had gone home to be with her parents.
Her generous offer was so that I would have a nice place than my rented room for Thanksgiving.
I was genuinely thankful for that. Of course I never told my parents because her apartment was over a downtown (Lincoln, Nebraska) bar.
..
Guess I wrote my mini-book here and lost out on being first.
Way to go, TLP.
..

TLP said...

Oh, great. I have to comment again to make it an even number of comments.

Nessa said...

Prepare to comment again, TLP. I'm being odd again.

Thanks everyone for the lovely gobble gobble words. Look for the special one tomorrow.

Love the poem Doug. Just take twice as much and then when divided by two you'll never know the difference.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate and a Happy Thursday just to celebrate.Wild Turkeys

Ariel the Thief said...

Bring corks, hurry! We need to find the leaks and fix them because sentimentality is taking over this blog... :-P

Tom & Icy said...

It's odd to be normal, now days.

Doug The Una said...

TLP, half portions would be a good idea for me. I just have to find a big portion to split.

Doesn't it, Actonbell? I'm not sure why, but that is my sense.

Jim, I'd have called that a good one. The Greyhound station in Omaha is or was next to a bar, too. You huskers must really hit the sauce.

Thanks, TLP. I got number 8.

That's thing, Nessa. I always know the difference. Happy T-day, Turkey-Maven.

Idióta nőszemély!

I wouldn't know, Tom.

the amoeba said...

ODD, n. A candidate for a prime number. Or a prime minister. And therefore, a primary concern.

May you be among those whose prime concern is eating well, not merely eating.

sauerkraut said...

It may be odd, but the definition will be prime.

I shall hoist a nice riesling to all of you wordsmiths tomorrow. May your mince be happy and your Dewar's prompt.

veri: bunting

Anonymous said...

ODD: Nancy Pelosi

Anonymous said...

Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family :) ODD I forgot to mention that!!!

k. riggs gardner said...

Leave it to S'kraut for a moment of levity.

sauerkraut said...

Beg pardon, Karen?

k. riggs gardner said...

Kraut. Don't even try to annoy me any further

TLP said...

What are the odds that we will all have a wonderful dinner tomorrow? Pretty good I think.

Happy Thanksgiving Douglas and to all of your family, friends, and editors.

Cooper said...

Happy Thanksgiving Doug,

odd always


cooper

Ariel the Thief said...

*beams*

Happy Thanksgiving! Eat as much as you can, survival is overrated. :)

quilly said...

Odd that the comment I posted here this morning didn't stick. I have only limited thanks for blogger -- I am glad it occasionally lets me with with those friends who won't see sense and use a more friendly platform.

Doug, Walea & Willie -- Happy Thanksgiving -- may your day be grand!

Doug The Una said...

Nope, Amoeba, second category for me, thanks.

Thanks, Sauerkraut. And I'll raise a gravy boat to some of you.

Yep, Thom. And you too, thanks.

He's good for that, Karen.

I think she means well, Sauerkraut.

Meant well, Karen?

To you as well, TLP and all Pez dispensers everywhere. As ye give so you receive.

You too, Cooper, thanks, and yes we are.

Idióta nőszemély!

Yours as well, Quilly, thank you.

weirsdo said...

I am grateful for schadenfreude, and find it no labor at all.

Doug The Una said...

People like you always are.