This early morning, Thanksgiving day
before the dawn is bright,
I contemplate by candlelight
our family so afar.
Quiet am I now, as memories come and go.
Travel to another state, the table set for many.
Generations past. Grandchildren now grown.
Scenes of happiness and laughter, dancing in my head.
Sun now risen, our day to share begins.
Warmly we embrace, so thankful for each other.
Later we shall sit to sing our family’s table grace.
Only two place settings, two voices raised in song.
Thanksgiving 2020’s essence remains the same,
thankfulness for God’s abundant blessings.
Unique this year, we also have requests.
We pray for more kindness in our troubled world
and healing in these Covid times.
Shared with dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe, and my friends and family, on this Thanksgiving day.
lillian the home poet 
Beautiful words ❤️
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Beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, Lillian 🙏
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Happy Thanksgiving Lillian and family. Though there are only 2 place settings, your family is united in love and gratitude. Praying for kindness and healing in these troubled times.
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Well said on this most strange Thanksgiving day. I pray that next November we will gather once again with loved ones, and be grateful 2020 is behind us all.
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A heartfelt write, Lillian! 💝 I agree and pray too for a less troubled world where kindness prevails. Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
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We, two, have only two place settings. The holidays for 2020 will become the stuff of legend and literature, as we live through (hopefully) the Plague Year. Your poem is equal parts sadness and hope; =you strike a perfect balance.
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Amen, Sister.
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Oh so true and beautifully said. ❤ ❤
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Happy Thanksgiving. Love from Iowa!
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Happy Thanksgiving, Lillian. Prayers continue, always.
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Best for thanksgiving – and thanks for this lovely piece – that powerful image of the table set for two – reminds us how much has changed – and how much remains.
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A beautiful poem that not only records this year’s unusual Thanksgiving, but also celebrates family and friends who are apart and still together. I also love the progression from candlelight before dawn to sunshine and the start of a new day. There is such a wistfulness in the lines:
‘to sing our family’s table grace.
Only two place settings, two voices raised in song.’
I’m glad the essence remains the same. Happy Thanksgiving, Lill!
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Beautiful reflections! I have spent many hours thinking of our days gone-by and the warmth of our family time! Yet, the gratitude remains and the assurance of better days ahead with hugs and face to face conversations! Love you -n
Sent from my iPhone
>
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It was definitely a different Thanksgiving this year. A lovely prayer, Lillian,
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So many emotions your poetry evokes …. thank you for posting this.
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I appreciate your focus on gratitude and wishes for healing as you faced a table set for two. It isn’t easy to choose what we have been handed. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Stunning! And the last stanza, yes, so much to be thankful for, and prayers continue.
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Very touching reflection Lillian, on the nature of familial love and the essence of this strange year, 2020. Families get together virtually, but the love is real.
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we also had table for two this year, my first Thanksgiving with my girlfriend. So wonderful to be able to focus on her, yet longing for the more crowded table. Praying for crowded tables of love and fellowship in coming years.
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