Alice's Restaurant

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving,
Despite the turkey meal,
If I missed Arlo Guthrie’s song,
My husband at the wheel.

For every year, Thanksgiving Day,
As it approaches noon,
We find the FM station
That’s all set to play that tune.

It’s part of our tradition
As we take our turkey jaunt
To join with Arlo as he sings
About that restaurant.

The words are mostly spoken
And it’s twenty minutes long,
But it’s a way to join my past
And present, with a song.

For flashing to the 60’s
In the way that that song does,
Reminds me of those days gone by
And life the way it was.

If someone said one day I’d sing
With my kids ‘bout the draft,
It would have sounded crazy
And I’m sure I would have laughed.

On Turkey Day, we did just that,
Our voices at full blast;
And I thank Arlo Guthrie
For that linkage to my past.

(for Paula Swanson's "Traditions" contest)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Johnson Avatar
April 9, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Back when records would scratch and skip. That song was long and quite a trip. He gave us joy each time we listened. That trip to the dump seemed to some how glisten.
Pettit Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 8:05 PM
I remember that song. It was hardly ever played on AM radio because the album version is about 23 minutes long. Good write and congratulations on winning in the contest with it.
Haick Avatar
December 20, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Congratulations on your win in the contest, Ilene! Merry Christmas to you! Love, Annalise
Dietrich Avatar
December 20, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Ilene, you look to young to be a child of the 60's (which I am!) I have this album along with my 800 other albums and singles. I have only heard some of this song. Never listened to the whole 20 min. version. Arlo's voice sounds unique, like his amazing father, woody. Good poem and good win!
Johnson Avatar
December 19, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Lovely and interesting tradition. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Brown Avatar
December 19, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Congratulations on your win in Paula's "Traditions" contest Ilene. Love, Carol
Lane Avatar
December 5, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Including Alice....
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