Losing

The other team scores.
Last moment's elation
Ashes
A field goal pretty much
Ends the season.
From coast to coast
In every home
Our demise is witnessed
Over gravy.
Near humiliation
Heading home to turkey and smiles
Shake it off
Carve the bird in silence
Sullen
Thinking of the play that
Turned the game
Makes me want this holiday to end.
No thanks
Another game
Another failure
Another game next week
Sure
But those own me in fantasy are winners.

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Photo: NFL

Thanksgiving 2012

There will be no Thanksgiving at their house
Turkey, yes
But no bowing heads at a table
No taking turns to relate personal gratitude.
In their home
Gloom pervades from upstairs
Insulates everyone from
Pilgrim worship.
Someone may still cook a bird
Make stuffing
Serve cranberries
Try to force a little cheer
But darkness has taken hold in that unassuming house
Yielding only to time and Febreze
If there is thanks to be given
Let a glimmer of it find its way there
Even if it is just a dusting of empathy or hope.

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Photo: Marjory Collins, Farm Security Administration