Thanksgiving Turkey

Valleys lay in sunny vapor,     And a radiance mild was shed     From each tree that like a taper     At a feast stood. Then we said,     "Our feast, too, shall soon be spread,             Of good Thanksgiving turkey."     And already still November     Drapes her snowy table here.     Fetch a log, then; coax the ember;     Fill your hearts with old-time cheer;     Heaven be thanked for one more year,             And our Thanksgiving turkey!     Welcome, brothers - all our party     Gathered in the homestead old!     Shake the snow off and with hearty     Hand-shakes drive away the cold;     Else your plate you'll hardly hold             Of good Thanksgiving turkey.     When the skies are sad and murky,     'Tis a cheerful thing to meet     Round this homely roast of turkey -     Pilgrims, pausing just to greet,     Then, with earnest grace, to eat             A new Thanksgiving turkey.     And the merry feast is freighted     With its meanings true and deep.     Those we've loved and those we've hated,     All, to-day, the rite will keep,     All, to-day, their dishes heap             With plump Thanksgiving turkey.     But how many hearts must tingle     Now with mournful memories!     In the festal wine shall mingle     Unseen tears, perhaps from eyes     That look beyond the board where lies             Our plain Thanksgiving turkey.     See around us, drawing nearer,     Those faint yearning shapes of air -     Friends than whom earth holds none dearer!     No - alas! they are not there:     Have they, then, forgot to share             Our good Thanksgiving turkey?     Some have gone away and tarried     Strangely long by some strange wave;     Some have turned to foes; we carried     Some unto the pine-girt grave:     They 'll come no more so joyous-brave             To take Thanksgiving turkey.     Nay, repine not. Let our laughter     Leap like firelight up again.     Soon we touch the wide Hereafter,     Snow-field yet untrod of men:     Shall we meet once more - and when? -             To eat Thanksgiving turkey.