by Kevin T McEneaney
Like the turkey, prehistoric flyers
were not adept at aerial soaring
any more than beginning choirs
at a small church with smattering
of ambition rooted in devotion
to God, aesthetics, and community.
We forgive the bumbling locomotion
of farm-fattened Thanksgiving turkey,
just as we forgive ourselves for eating
words not uttered in good faith or justice.
As we must apologize for killing
the galumphing turkey, we dismiss,
by grace of God, our own faults and failings,
hoping our community will prosper
while aiding those poor or ailing.
When it comes to food, we all may falter
by taking an extra tasty portion,
yet grace never leads to indigestion.
Turkey, not warlike eagle, said Franklin,
should be our peaceful national emblem.