The Thanksgiving Turkey

By Jackson McNeill

 

1          To gape, to gawk, to gloat, and watch,

2          We sat beside the Turkey meal-

3          In stature ready to swell our paunch

4          And with glutton the devil appeal.

5          “Now fold thine hands” the father quote,

6          “And give thanks to Him adored”.

7          In this feast, though by family dote,

8          The Turkey rose, abhorred.

 

9          “Eat me not!” quothe the fowl,

10        “If you pray to me, alone-

11        Thou suffer hells vulgar bowels,

12        If bastered idols you condone.

13        You say to feast, and God give thanks,

14        But fat sit you and praise thy bird

15        Which heaven high happly makes,

16        You which o’er eat, undeterred.”

 

17        In awe we sat, the Turkey prophet

18        Thus laid down his head,

19        And father with the beef brochette

20        Made aptly sure twas dead.

21        In heaven’s interest, or tangible fear,

22        We put away our porcelain plates,

23        And none the Turkey dare come near,

24        Which sits there still, of late.