Thanksgiving Day

Years ago on Turkey Day My father, in a snit, Let traffic get the best of him, Announcing, “This is it!” He turned the car ‘round in a huff; My mom’s pleas were rejected. My aunt had planned a massive feast At which we were expected. To soothe our wounds my dad declared, “We’ll go out for Chinese!” Our sullen silence shouted “No!” To lobster Cantonese. Yet there we were Thanksgiving Day With shrimp in lobster sauce, My father trying to pretend He showed us who was boss. But though he tried to cheer us up We were a gloomy group; We dreamed of sweet potato pie While slurping wonton soup. I often think back to that day – Though we were so downcast, We were together, and who knew That magic wouldn’t last? My parents are long gone Yet every year in late November, That Thanksgiving eating Chinese food’s The one that I remember.