Thanksgiving Day begins early in a rush and a hustle,
with company coming the kitchen's abustle.
The turkey's roasting and the ham is glazed,
the eggs are deviled and Mama seems dazed.

Jams and jellies, candied yams, and dinner rolls,
tossed salad, scalloped corn, green bean casserole,
making tea and cocoa and Uncle Ben's secret punch,
everything's nearly ready for our "wild bunch".

Pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pies galore,
aunts and uncles and cousins coming in the door,
laughing and joking...lots of hugging all round;
Thanksgiving Day's joyous sights and sounds!

Dinner's ready and everyone's sitting there
when Uncle Ben calls for silence and offers a prayer,
"Bless those who are missing and those who are ill, and, Lord, help us live according to your will."

Now Uncle Ben rises with punch glass held high
and makes a toast to the cooks, the turkey, and pie.
Then we stand and give thanks for the joy of living
amid family and friends on this wonderful Thanksgiving.