Black Thursday

The talk on Twitter and Facebook

Is usually about writing or Lolcats or nook.

But this week the friends are ready to fight--

Seems some stores are opening before midnight!

In fact (though it's really not right)

They're open for business, they say

Not Friday, but Thursday--Thanksgiving Day!

The chorus of protest is a swelling song

We must really do something--

This is just wrong!

My solution is simple. Why wait in line?

Why not wander in at seven or eight or nine?

Black Friday is a sad symptom of greed.

How many presents do we really need?

In the past we sang carols and put up the tree.

There were sparkling bright lights
and a Nativity.

The kids helped make presents for
Mommy and Dad.

Oh, they were so careful to never be bad.

Each day pretty Christmas cards arrived
in the mail 

with greetings and pictures and that year's tale.

There were whispers and guessing 

what was under the tree.

Sometimes there was shaking--"Oh, can I see?"

Heh. Do you remember how it was back then?

We always got one toy and candy in a tin

And new underwear and warm socks 

in a gaily wrapped box.

The thing about Christmas and
Thanksgiving Day

It's a time for family to find a way to say 

"I'm here to spend time together because I love you.

Nope, it's not money. It's not presents--
it's you."

© Anny Cook 2011