Leftovers have more meaning than we all suppose they do,
Excessive food in hungry times, and scrapings from a plate,
While those in other countries starve, our problems seem quite few,
With stomachs full to bursting from the turkey that we ate.

Our Thanksgiving should always think of what we take for granted,
The water from our taps, the foods that all of us consume,

Left over food that someone grew from all the seeds they planted,
That filled us to the brim until we found we had no room.

In countries far away, the soil's too poor to raise a crop,
Be thankful for the food you eat, and think of that food wasted,
Consumerism's rife these days, and if it were to stop,
We may appreciate the thrill of all the food we've tasted.

The turkey and the cranberry, the endless flow of food,
Should remind us of our fortune, as a family and group,
And it seems a little sad these days, if not a little rude,
That we never think of those poor folks without a bowl of soup.

Next year, remember excess food, instead of buying tons,
And knowing much of it remains when Thanksgiving is gone,
And encouraging the tummy aches, the stomach cramps and runs,
There's a quite important lesson for you all to dwell upon.

Instead of all those leftovers, think out the food you need,
And give the rest to kitchens who prepare food for the poor,
For Thanksgiving's a time of year which feeds all human need,
And in that giving, you will find what Thanksgiving is for.

As a smiling face and hands so warm surround a cup of giving,
And the soup for homeless people filled with goodness you supplied,
When you changed your whole perspective, and you thought of those folk living,
In the streets so cold and damp, and can reflect at least you tried.

To share your fortune with the folk less fortunate and poor,
And the leftovers are fewer, and the excess not so tough,
Thanksgiving thoughts of others will begin to mean much more,
And make you very grateful that your family have enough.

It's a happy time, a time of joy, a time of gratitude,
For the food upon our plate and all the company we share,
And if we can give joy to those with no leftover food,
Puts perspective on Thanksgiving, and will help us in our prayer.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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