There were more dogs than people: Edith
in her green and red plaid bowtie, Zoe
in her Santa hat, Jasper in his headband
donning deer antlers. Michael sipped bourbon
while basting the turkey. We poured champagne,
toasted, a mouthful of kisses behind masks.
The smell of butter, celery, onion and thyme
were diminished by sanitizing scents
of Purell and lavender hand mist sprays.
Cathy’s husband packed his bags the day before,
left, said he never loved her, said she ruined
his life. Chloe’s miscarriage left her bleeding
and the crust on the apple pie crumpled, yet
still we gathered, still we gave thanks.
Gina Forberg received her MFA from Manhattanville College. Her chapbook, “Leaving Normal,” was published by Finishing Line Press as a winner in “The Emerging Women’s Writers’ Series.” She lives in Black Rock, Connecticut.
Latest posts by Gina Forberg (see all)
- Thanksgiving 2020 - December 7, 2022