What?

WHAT?

Thanksgiving’s on the way
This had crossed my mind
But what?
While shopping the mall yesterday I came on this display –
Who could miss it? – 
Shelves and shelves full of teddy bears    nutcrackers
    dolls    delicate ornaments    and then!
    this big open square rimmed with the most perfect 
    synthetic trees one might imagine – silver trees    green                      
    trees    blue trees    even a red tree
    all decorated magnificently 
In the middle    exactly in the middle of the square – a stage          
    an empty throne    and this short    white slat-fence              
    enclosing the whole
I shook my head
What happened to Thanksgiving?
Who the hell is thinking about Thanksgiving?
    certainly not the merchants!
Well    I wandered down the aisle toward the food court    
    and    guess what?
I come across a pen with a real live turkey strutting around
Seems I was wrong about the merchants
So?    To top it off – in the food court    at one of the tables
   there sits a man in suspenders     white tee shirt    red   
   trousers   red coat draped across the back of the chair    a 
   phony white beard    red cap lying on the table
He is one ugly    bony faced    misshapen human being
Santa’s on lunch break    gravy and partly chewed food
   spilled down his chin    bald head red as a beet
I can’t help staring at him    totally freaked
He looks my way    smiles
“Gobble    gobble”    says St. Nick
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Mac Donald Avatar
June 4, 2011 at 5:04 AM
Santa must have been trying to fatten up for December? You've the most observant and articulate mind, Daver! I was considering breakfast, but the urge ended with what "spilled down his chin". This is a hoot! So wishing you the best! Love, Mikki
Kendrick Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Got a chuckle out of this one..You have come up with one that says what we all want to say..I can remember how Thanksgiving was played up and was a turning point to start lookiing forward to Christmas..I was delighted at your comments on my work "Rev My Throttle"..I am enjoying a bounty of roses on the running rose ..I have never had this many this late..I am enjoying the good amist the pain..Sara
Dufresne Avatar
November 13, 2010 at 4:49 PM
I'm wth Carrie on this one, To...er.. I mean Daver. This was like takin' a trip with you and never leavin' the farm!
Richards Avatar
November 7, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Love it love it love it!!!! Today's version of holiday shopping, certainly does not paint a Currier and Ives pretty picture!!
Neels Avatar
November 6, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Hey Dave, this is so true. Every year it's more about the buying and selling of things. Heaven knows what happened about the reason for the season. Loved this ;)
Brown Avatar
November 6, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Just stopping back to thank you for your kind comments Daver. Love, Carol
Hilliker Avatar
November 6, 2010 at 4:16 AM
lol. You're right, Daver, Thanksgiving gets ignored most of the time because it's not the financial generator that Christmas is. I enjoyed your Narrative on the subject. Gooble, Gooble. :-)
Brown Avatar
November 5, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Enjoyed reading the many diverse poems here today. I am glad to have came across yours amongst these wonderful poems Daver. Wishing you a magnificent weekend. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 11:19 PM
hahaha gobble gobble he says. You are freaking funny, DAver! What a great mind you have. LUv, andrea ps. Did you ever see Bad Santa. You would love that movie!
Gorelick Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Dave, please wake me when its over.. I can hardly tolerate Christmas any more. I loved it when it was simple..and didnt envolve electonics..lol...BG
Mehta Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Your description of Santa's on lunch break, made me smile, Nice write, daver
Coulstock Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Hi Daver.We don,t have Thanksgiving here in England but I fully understand what you're saying in this clever yet cynical piece.We find no sooner is Christmas out of the way than Easter eggs appear on the shelves! It seems we are living in a materialistic age, sadly.However I thought this was great,your indignation with little touches of humour.though I think Santa sounds gross.I really enjoyed it. And what is more the pleasure was free!!!Thank you Love June(sylvia)
Devonshire Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 11:01 AM
It's the same everywhere, Daver. The day after Halloween, all the Christmas trimmings and merchandise appear. Had a great laugh reading about your Santa on his lunch break. And I pity that poor turkey "strutting around" in the mall. He'll probably be stuffed and basted to grace the mall manager's Thanksgiving table. Let's get animal rights involved! The commercialization of Christmas has always made me feel less "good will toward man." Enjoyed your poem!! Love, Carolyn
Haick Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Borderline ridiculous is what it has come to, Dave..I feel sorry for our kids today. It's up to us to have them see that this world will rob them of the joy that comes from enjoying the most important holidays...and $ is the bottom line..always! Thanks for sharing this.. Love, Audrey
Peranteau Avatar
November 4, 2010 at 10:37 AM
I enjoyed every last drop of this write dear poet ! I'm siding with ya on this one Daver....much love, james
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace