HOST—A Thanksgiving Poem I dutifully performed my job du - TopicsExpress

HOST—A Thanksgiving Poem I dutifully performed my job du jour, Opened the frosty glass door, Shook hands, entrapped guests in bear hugs, Or glanced passionless kisses off of cold blushed cheeks, Each according to the level of intimacy required; Felt the subtle stiffening and pushing away When I violated some invisible boundary Stirred up by memories of some distant offense. Over small talk and laughter I queried the growing sub-clans Sorting themselves out In the kitchen and the dining room As to their desired beverage. “Wine? Never touch it. Got a coke?” And when I intoned the prayer, I looked at the bowed heads and folded hands And thanked God for that something, That unexpected anything, That in this one moment Jumped like a spark across the divide That separates us one from another. And we were one. And we were family. Again.