Thanksgiving

You prepare a table before me

In the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows

-Psalm 23

In the midst

of worrying about

money that isn’t there

frustrating relationships

and mounting school work

I walk with my head phones turned up

hoping to tune out the accompanying anxiety.

Down sunny sidewalks

I wrestle with constant nagging.

My thoughts turn to my stomach

and the mashed potatoes and turkey

I ate two days ago with my family.

I remembered the gravy

beautifully clumpy and rich

dressing laden with salt

rhubarb crisp covered in ice cream

and I smiled.

When I remembered

my cousin asking how I’d been

like she actually wanted an answer,

I nearly teared—up.

This Thanksgiving

I’m thankful

for Thanksgiving.