Serving Up Some Dignity (Thanksgiving In Canada)

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Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

0 posted 2002-10-14 04:59 PM

Serving Up Some Dignity

Well here it is Thanksgiving
Yes I’ll get one hot meal tonight,
no standing in the food lines
where someone always picks a fight.

We all get our turkey dinner
winter boots, a new blanket too,
don’t get me wrong you see
I appreciate all that the rich do.

Once a year they give this dinner
And expect me to give my thanks
for sleeping in city doorways,
or along the oceans banks.

I hate to ask for something more,
but my joy has worn quite thin,
and I simply wish to be,
a little happy once again.

On this Thanksgiving day,
Will you give me what I need?
It’s not the turkey, or pumpkin pie
it’s such a simple deed.

Sweet lady, can you loan me
that twinkle in your eye?
Would you let me take your smile
and just try it on for size?

Would you lend me for a while
a little of your laugh?
I promise to take good care of it
and promptly give it back.

The turkey dinner is wonderful,
lady please don’t get me wrong,
but just for once I would enjoy
feeling there’s somewhere I belong.

Could you spare some dignity
so I may raise my head?
Let me feel that just one day,
I didn’t wish that I were dead.

Today you touched my dirty hand,
and made me feel you cared,
that gave me hope for brighter days,
as not too many have dared.

See, we don’t need a handout,
just a few kind words or a smile,
or just a minute of your time
to talk with us a while.

In this caring from your heart,
costing only a smile or two,
every bit of joy you share
will all come back to you.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Howdy Neighbour

Sharon
[This message has been edited by Mysteria (10-14-2002 05:00 PM).]

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2002-10-14 05:03 PM

I see you've been slicing up servings of your heart again, Sharon. How well you reach out to those in need...knowing that of all things, sometimes dignity and respect will wear the warmest in the cold months to come.

Your poem was outstanding!

majnu

Senior Member

since 2002-10-13

Posts 1088
SF Bay Area

2 posted 2002-10-14 05:13 PM

harsh, very harsh and honest.

reminds me of phil collins' "just another day in paradise."

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-01-04

Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise

3 posted 2002-10-14 05:20 PM

Sharon, you tell 'em! This is fabulous and I hope lots of 'the fortunate' people read this.

Hugs and God Bless you, Marti

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

4 posted 2002-10-14 05:20 PM

I'm proud to call you a Canadian! I so whole-heartedly agree with helping those who are less fortunate than we are.

Not only is this a wonderfully written poem, but it also shows me that you are much more than a poetess with a pretty face!

Linda

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

5 posted 2002-10-14 05:42 PM

"In this caring from your heart,
costing only a smile or two,
every bit of joy you share
will all come back to you."

(big hugggsssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, you are a very secial friend to us all, but also a true golden-hearted angel who gives so much to so many! If only there could be more givers like you, sweet friend, I too believe that is the most wonderful part of Thanksgiving, for on my Thanksgiving and periodically throughout the year I work at the soup kitchen in Denver and feed the homeless and also meet the elderly at the Christian Community Center and help them and talk to them and help set up their arts and crafts and Cream Of The Crop dance programs! (sigh) You are a blessed person, sweet friend, God Bless You and have the happiest Thanksgiving, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

6 posted 2002-10-14 05:59 PM

Thank you all so much for your heartfelt replies, but NOAH (kissing you sweetie on your cheek this time), as you know all too well how they depend on the volunteers at these places. It was a mad house this morning at "The Harbour Light", that is our main kitchen downtown (I walked Nan by there one day), and to give you a rough idea, when I left they were on their 45th turkey being carved! (that is roughly 900 lbs. of turkey)

Now, that's a lot of turkey!

Just a quick note: PLEASE take your old winter coats, blankets, and winter boots to your local homeless organization now! The fall and winter packages are madly being prepared by volunteers now for handing out by the third week of October. All boots have to be organized by size, etc. so it takes time. Boots that are warm are greatly appreciated, and if you can sew there is a "homeless" blanket by Simpicity Patterns that doubles as a backpack and a pillow for them and they love those.

Thank you all again.

pure_innocence
Member

since 2001-07-14

Posts 80
Colorado, US

7 posted 2002-10-14 06:35 PM

I have read your words and they have humbled my heart. I feel sorry for myself because I'm going to the college of my dreams and I can't afford all the cool new clothes or new car that I want. But I can walk down the street with my head up and sleep in a bed of my own. I am so so fortunate - thank you for reminding me of that. This Thanksgiving, when my head is bowed as I sit surronded by the friends and family that love me - I'm going to give thanks for people like you.

Happy Thanksgiving. . . . .

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

8 posted 2002-10-14 09:42 PM

pure_innocence - I think I was in the same boat once want is natural, and the older you get you replace that word with need for some reason. You just made the statement of what humility is all about, and when your Thanksgiving comes along, trust me I shall truly be thinking of you. Get that college degree and trust me your wants will come while you are young.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

9 posted 2002-10-14 10:16 PM

Even in the short time I have known you I can think of no one more caring or giving than you. I have no doubt you always do your best to make others feel welcome and worthwhile. This is a beautiful piece of work...as are you

From now on, whenever I think of turkey I;ll think of you!

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

10 posted 2002-10-14 10:20 PM

Interesting, from the photos it seems that it's those indigenous to the area are those most in need. Those natives we pushed over to make room for us yet suffer. Continue to do the right thing Sharon. Someone must.

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

11 posted 2002-10-14 10:21 PM

Mysteria - Happy Thankgiving to you in Canada. I would love to be there right now for some of that turkey...

BC

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

12 posted 2002-10-14 10:27 PM

Sharon,
I can't get the pics to load. But I know you helped provide many people with a reason to feel thankful. Bless your tender caring heart again.

Nice write.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

13 posted 2002-10-14 10:29 PM

Oh Sharon, this is a wonderful poem. You have a very kind and generous heart.

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

14 posted 2002-10-14 10:34 PM

Sharon, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Friend, I do believe that you know the complete meaning of the word THANKSGIVING. It's not only the "THANKS", but also the "GIVING". Thank you so much for your poetry and also for your caring heart.
With Love To All,
Ethel

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

15 posted 2002-10-14 10:48 PM

I almost feel guilty saying thank you for this poem you know that? How sad that through their hardship a poem is born, but if for no other reason than to raise awareness, it was worthwhile, and thanks again, have two more stories to tell about yesterday if I can get this darn dah dum right

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

16 posted 2002-10-14 10:49 PM

You know the most special thing about you, Sharon? This isn't a once a year happenstance for you. Not everyone here knows it, but you give this much of yourself each and every day of the year.

I'm not going to say "Happy Thanksgiving Day" to you, my friend. I'm going to say just a simple "Happy Thansgiving"... And we're all giving thanks to have you and your wonderful poetry among us. You do us proud, dear lady...

Love ya

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

17 posted 2002-10-15 12:01 PM

Yanno Nan, sometimes you move me to tears with your poetry, and then there are times you just move me to tears, and this is that time. Thank you bud!

DawnG

Senior Member

since 2000-06-23

Posts 1494
United States

18 posted 2002-10-15 11:23 PM

Mysteria,

Your heart shines through and through in this write. You reminded all of us how very lucky we are to be where we are in life. I wish there were more we could do to help the homeless.

Dawn

CSKpoet
Senior Member

since 2002-07-12

Posts 845
Island in Paradise

19 posted 2002-10-15 11:33 PM

Just beautiful, like your heart..

I am involved here in Hawaii doing just this very thing...no boots tho..and yes smiles and hugs...hugs i n volumes to you too, sweet friend.
aloha, Cher

Poetry is:
Passion, imagination and intellect running together.

Aloha with warmest regards, Cheryl Stewart Koomoa

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

20 posted 2002-10-15 11:46 PM

Sharon

It is obvious you give much of yourself. It is food for the heart...thanks for your caring ways.

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-05

Posts 8296
Michigan

21 posted 2002-10-15 11:51 PM

You have such a giving heart, Sharon...
Thank you for sharing it with us and for understanding that people need more than food in order to live...

~ heart to heart hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled" Gwendolyn Brooks

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

22 posted 2002-10-16 01:10 AM

You are all too kind replying for it bumps it up for someone else to read and be aware of the need for help in this community - and Cheri (wow, homeless in Hawaii - sorry, but something sounds wonderfully better than in the pouring rain of winter in Vancouver

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