Thanksgiving

by Alice Woodrome

I'm thankful for the smell of rosemary,
And the warmth of the sun on my back
When I kneel to pull weeds;
The cool earth between my fingers,
For soft lambs ear and a gentle breeze
Brushing against my cheek.
I'm thankful for the mockingbird's song
And the flutter in the cottonwood tree.

I'm thankful I can plant pansies all afternoon
And not hurt when I crawl into bed at night;
That I'm strong enough to knead bread
And clean my house and rake the leaves.
I'm thankful I still enjoy the sight
Of a beautifully formed body,
And that the sweet pleasures of the flesh
Are more than memories.

I'm thankful for chocolate bars and coffee,
And fresh baked cinnamon rolls.
I'm thankful for hot baths by candlelight,
For a fireplace to sit by and dream,
And the sound of a tenor saxophone
Played slow and sensuously;
For a violin in the hands of a maestro,
And the desire to make music of my own.

I'm thankful for time to follow my bliss,
For the poems that are yet to be written,
For the stories to tell and the pictures to paint.
I'm thankful for red and green and purple
And blue... especially I'm thankful for blue.
I'm thankful I still get excited over simple things,
That I can sit in the bookstore and read,
And entertain an idea that's new.

I'm thankful I can write a check for groceries
Without checking the bank balance first;
That I can help other people in need.
I'm thankful I can feel my emotions
Even when it's painful to care.
I'm thankful for a family who loves me.
For friends who tell me the truth,
and accept me for who I am.

I'm thankful for museums and public gardens,
For shopping malls, nurseries and Walmart.
And I'm thankful the truck still runs.
I'm thankful I still have dreams to dream,
That I can change my mind if I want.
I'm thankful I can take an evening walk in safety,
In the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And I'm thankful Old Glory still waves.