i would rather embody grace
than say it, hands folded neatly
over these plates, shining
my grandmother’s pattern
& i remember her hands
stroking napkins to smoothness
on this table, teaching me
the placement of plates
& which forks to use
the way i remind my children
old enough now to remember
but the words slip from my mouth
automatic as prayer memorized
until it is like breath
i would keep this breathing
this silence together
before the feast. this
is my thanks-giving, woven
between memory & this now
clamoring around my ankles
for attention.
Susan Daniels Poetry 
This is beautiful Susan…happy thanksgiving
Thank you, sis–same to you!
Susan, I will pay you (however small a sum of money) to take this poem and (in appropriate manner only) combine it with your last poem and see what happens. I can feel the madness of that. In the meantime, happy turkey times.
Hahaha–what a delightfully INSANE idea! I love it. Ugh. I like none of my thesaurus’ options for spartan, either.
Insane in the membrane. I like mash-ups. I can’t think of an option for spartan, really. Um, how about Pattonesque? Or stormtrooper? Or um, bayonet-sharp? I know I am not helping.
🙂 but you are amusing me…which is even better!
you brought my own Grandmother and memories to my mind in an instant. thank for that Susan.
You are most welcome, Audra.
grannies are the same – world-over! Nice reminiscence here – trouble is I’m all ‘panda’d’ up and can’t remember how to talk a-sarcastically! Nice work though Susan, as ever 🙂
Thank you Mike–and don’t worry–I like the panda’s sarcasm.
Hi Susan,
Loved the verse. What makes you choose between your memories of the past and the clamour of the here and now? How could you align these aspects going forward?
God bless
Shakti
Oh, I am not choosing between them–I am blending them 😉
Glad you liked!
wonderful. i especially like the ending with now clamoring around your ankles. happy thanksgiving!
oh, thank you, Jane! Same to you!
Nicely done Susan. Have a peaceful shopping-free weekend.
Thanks, Terry–same to you 😉
Great as always.. Happy Thanksgiving, Susan. 🙂
Ken, thanks so much–wishing you the same experience of bounty and thankfulness we celebrated over here today.
This poem is gorgeous, Susan. And this the time of year when those who taught us are remembered and celebrated 🙂
Polly, thank you. I am full of memories right now, and quietly celebrating them.
Hope your Thanksgiving was great. 🙂 ‘I would rather embody grace than say it’ It does become a litany, meaningless after a while, like the paternostra, if we don’t live it. Deep and powerful, Susan.
Thank you, Celestine.