Last Meal
From death row
I want my last meal
to be Thanksgiving
A crackling brown turkey
carved by my father
with a serrated knife
my mother prefers
the tasty dark meat
give me the juicy white
my brother mixed stuffing
with his bare hands
spiced with too much sage
lumpy mashed potatoes
still with the skins
salt pepper and butter
Passing serving plates
heaped with memory
grandmother to granddaughter
uncles to nephews
cousins to cousins to cousins
it’s the stories
I remember
more than the food
For dessert
the proverbial pumpkin pie
nutmeg and whipped cream
and my family busts me out
just before midnight
(Inspired by this week’s Living Poetry Prompt. Happy Thanksgiving!)
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Mmmmm. Yum!
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What’s your favorite traditional Thanksgiving dish?
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I actually love it all because we didn’t eat that kind of food much. Mom’s not a turkey lover. My family puts Italian sausage in the stuffing. So good!
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I’ve heard of sausage in the stuffing. The dressing is my favorite part maybe because that was what I was allowed to help with when I was little. I’d rip the bread!
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Last line for the win!
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Thanks. I don’t wanna be left in jail on turkey day!
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Terrific image of the reason for food, to gather around the table with family or friends! The food is great but the memories of the personalities who joined us.
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Thanks!
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Oh I love it! So well penned ♥️ Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁🍽
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Thank you very much. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
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