Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and My Birthday

Here in the U.S., Thanksgiving Day takes place on November 28 this year, which also happens to be the first full day of Hanukkah, and my birthday. Thanksgiving, for me, has always been the unofficial start of the Christmas season, and my house is already decorated (including my giant Christmas tree and three smaller ones). Needless to say, it’s all wonderful, and after church in the early AM, I’ll be home cooking dinner and then feasting with friends. My birthday “cake” will be a large pumpkin pie! In lieu of a Thanksgiving/Hanukkah week prompt or essay, following are some lovely poems that speak to these special holidays. Even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Hanukkah this week, I hope you’ll enjoy the poems and keep in mind that it’s always a good time to remember the things, people, blessings, and gifts for which we’re thankful.

Thanksgiving

(Old Rhyme, Author Unknown)

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway—

Thanksgiving comes again!

Thanksgiving Day

By Lydia Maria Child

Over the river, and through the wood,

  To grandfather's house we go;

       The horse knows the way

       To carry the sleigh

  Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—

  Oh, how the wind does blow!

       It stings the toes

       And bites the nose

  As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,

  To have a first-rate play.

       Hear the bells ring

       "Ting-a-ling-ding",

  Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood

  Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

       Spring over the ground,

       Like a hunting-hound!

  For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood,

  And straight through the barn-yard gate.

       We seem to go

       Extremely slow,—

  It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood—

  Now grandmother's cap I spy!

       Hurrah for the fun!

       Is the pudding done?

  Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie!

Thanksgiving

By Edgar Guest

Gettin’ together to smile an’ rejoice,

An’ eatin’ an’ laughin’ with folks of your choice;

An’ kissin’ the girls an’ declarin’ that they

Are growin’ more beautiful day after day;

Chattin’ an’ braggin’ a bit with the men,

Buildin’ the old family circle again;

Livin’ the wholesome an’ old-fashioned cheer,

Just for awhile at the end of the year.

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door

And under the old roof we gather once more

Just as we did when the youngsters were small;

Mother’s a little bit grayer, that’s all.

Father’s a little bit older, but still

Ready to romp an’ to laugh with a will.

Here we are back at the table again

Tellin’ our stories as women an’ men.

Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;

Oh, but we’re grateful an’ glad to be there.

Home from the east land an’ home from the west,

Home with the folks that are dearest an’ best.

Out of the sham of the cities afar

We’ve come for a time to be just what we are.

Here we can talk of ourselves an’ be frank,

Forgettin’ position an’ station an’ rank.

Give me the end of the year an’ its fun

When most of the plannin’ an’ toilin’ is done;

Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,

Let me sit down with the ones I love best,

Hear the old voices still ringin’ with song,

See the old faces unblemished by wrong,

See the old table with all of its chairs

An’ I’ll put soul in my Thanksgivin’ prayers.

More Poems:

A Wonderful Selection of Poems for Hanukkah from the Poetry Foundation

The Thanksgiving by George Herbert

A Thanksgiving to God for His House by Robert Herrick

The Thanksgivings by Harriet Maxwell Converse (From an Iroquois Prayer)

A List of Praises by Anne Porter

Dusting by Marilyn Nelson

Starfish by Eleanor Lerman

What Was Told, That

by Rumi (Translated by Coleman Barks)

Thanks by W. S. Merwin