Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thursday Poem - Thanksgiving

I have been trying to read
the script cut in these hills—
a language carved in the shimmer of stubble
and the solid lines of soil, spoken
in the thud of apples falling
and the rasp of corn stalks finally bare.

The pheasants shout it with a rusty creak
as they gather in the fallen grain,
the blackbirds sing it
over their shoulders in parting,
and gold leaf illuminates the manuscript
where it is written in the trees.

Transcribed onto my human tongue
I believe it might sound like a lullaby,
or the simplest grace at table.
Across the gathering stillness
simply this: "For all that we have received,
dear God, make us truly grateful."

Lynn Ungar
(from Blessing the Bread)

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Lovely =)

Nan said...

Wonderful poem - I love the line about the blackbirds singing it 'over their shoulders in parting.'

the wild magnolia said...

Well, it turns out, as usual I have forgotten the Canada holidays! What is wrong with me? Alas, age or something.

Lovely poem and I adore the yellow beauty adorning the branches!

Blessings dear one!

Valerie said...

Beautiful poem, again.

Thank you for recognizing the Thanksgiving to the south, even tho' yours is weeks past.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem, Cate. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem, Cate. Thank you.

Lené Gary said...

What a lovely poem! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)