Sam Kauffman Poet Free verse

Song of a Harvest Home

Song of the Harvest Home

Under contented twilight memories, my childhood harvest home abides in chrysanthemum hues
Two story home on a quiet street behind a fence decorated by my grandmother’s roses - 
Dressed up in sleet, sometimes snow, maybe rain, even icy sunbeams 
Midst the warmest benediction, blessings gathered from fields and orchards yield
Our wide door flung open like hovering wings to gather in extensions of abundant bounty -
Transforming the harvest round a table extended by oaken leaves Granddad at the head of table,
Generations take their seats to bow their heads in loud amens of celebration grace – 
Scents of cinnamon and of sage, harmony and dysfunction, at their places
Setting ageless wisdom like silverware - dreams to sparkle like crystal glasses 
An understanding unspoken – always a place for those alone on this holiday – now adopted - 
New family welcomed by fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles - cousins 
Loud debates swirling like cream in coffee over pie and Grammie’s applesauce cake,
Closely guarded stories of the cousins raiding relish trays, wearing olives on fingertips 
A turkey taking flight across the kitchen floor – raspberry jelly retrieved from basement larder -
A box of chocolates anticipated - Jordan almonds in my pocket
Memories of the year when pot pies replaced the bird – not repeated – thank you Lord - 
Giggles over washing dishes as playing cards appeared on blanket covered tables
Before a warming fire where my heavy eyes relished this genesis of jubilee, a “normal?” family
Our voices raised in the song of a harvest home around a slightly out of tune piano. 

11/9/20
Contest: Thanksgiving
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh

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Paula Goldsmith November 22, 2020 at 7:45 AM Congratulations on your win. What a wonderful story/write. Sounds like a great family day. You have some wonderful memories. I make homemade pot pies. Bet you would like them. Enjoy your day and win..................... Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:36 PM Hi Paula! Thank you for your congratulations and wonderful message. In my family, both then and now, the holidays were truly times to celebrate! I would bet I would love your pot pies! My mouth is watering just thinking about them! Maybe that is what we will have for dinner! Great suggestion. :) Sending you Thanksgiving blessings dear friend.

L Milton Hankins November 18, 2020 at 10:07 PM Congratulations, Sam. Your poem is so rich in Thanksgiving imagery and memories. It is so deserving of this recognition. Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:12 PM Hi Milton! I am blessed by your message and thoughtful comments. Nature seems to open up a palette of colorful images rich with memories to harvest. Thank you for your visit. Harvest blessings to you.

Beata Agustin November 18, 2020 at 8:47 PM Wow! Congrats! I rejoice with you with a thankful heart for the Lord midst this thanksgiving muse of yours. Thanks likewise for sharing, and for constantly giving me your gracious comments, indeed edifying and uplifting. God bless you. Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:32 PM Thank you so much Beata! What a joy for brothers and sisters to rejoice in the bounty of God's gifts. Every time we communicate it is like a cyber fellowship time! Sending you harvest blessings and abundant prayers!

Anisha Dutta November 18, 2020 at 7:51 PM BIG CONGRATS to win TOP. Hugs. Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 12:49 PM Thank you so much my friend! Warm harvest blessings to you!

John Watt November 18, 2020 at 9:27 AM Back for seconds on the turkey and gravy, and to send my warm congratulations on your gold medal win in the contest! Speaking of warm, should we cover the yams? ~ John Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 12:48 PM Keeping the green bean casserole warm for you along with the yams - always a place at our table my friend! Thank you for the blessing of your congratulations! Singing Thanksgiving blessings for your table and family!

Eve Roper November 18, 2020 at 8:40 AM Sam, great imager, scent, and emotions, congratulations in the contest. Hugs Eve Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:28 PM Thank you so much my friend! Writing this piece brought all of it back with an abundance of smiles and some tears. Hope you are well. Sending you Thanksgiving blessings!

Linda Alice Fowler November 18, 2020 at 6:15 AM Lovely sentiments well expressed Sam. Congratulations on the win! Linda Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:26 PM Thank you Linda for the abundance of your gracious words. I truly do appreciate your messages. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Regina Mcintosh November 18, 2020 at 6:10 AM This is a gem to be treasured as I will. It is simply stunning. Love it. Thank you for entering this and congratulations on 1st place win :) Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:24 PM Hi Gina! Your congratulations are most appreciated. Thank you. Your messages are a treasure to me. So happy you loved this one. It was inspired by Come Ye Thankful People Come - one of my all favorite harvest hymns. Sending you Thanksgiving blessings dear friend.

Jennifer Proxenos November 12, 2020 at 9:14 AM We don't have Thanksgiving in South Africa but I thank God every day for what we have, from a mansion down graded to lovely small 2 bed roomed cottage, we have made friends here already. I have made our garden as beautiful as our last one, although much smaller, Thank-you God for what we have and the love between us and our children. A beautiful write and a fave Sam. keep well my friend and always take care. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Sam Kauffman November 23, 2020 at 1:20 PM Dear Jennifer, I am way behind answering emails. I so enjoy our visits. It sounds like there have been some dramatic changes in your life but your positive and hopeful attitude shines in your thankfulness! They, like family, are truly blessings. Thank you for your message, your fave and your reminder to find one thing each day to say thank you for each night! A harvest of blessings dear friend along with hugs and prayers!

John Watt November 9, 2020 at 5:04 PM Sam, your Grandma's hearth and home picture evoked a Norman Rockwell scene of a big, noisy family joining together to feast on the bounty of sights, smells, and tastes of harvest blessings. I liked 'harmony and dysfunction, at their places' - so true! Also, 'Midst the warmest benediction'. Then there's the regrettable decision to replace the bird with pot pies! All your treasured memories are Thanksgiving jewels set in the crown of your wonderful poetry. Harvest blessings to you ~ John Sam Kauffman November 10, 2020 at 4:13 PM Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Of course nothing can replace the Christmas celebration. This poem reminded me of those things and people I truly treasure along with all of the silly things that seemed to happen each year. Rockwell's painting is one of my all time favorites and really does speak of my family. Thank you John for sharing in these these holiday memories. So happy you could sit around our table. Thanksgiving blessings to you my friend!