Ode to the Bird

Oh turkey, how I love thee

But only once a year

Can I endure the hours it takes

For you to bake and sear.

I love thee in the morning

As I stuff thy rear with bread.

I love thee in the evening

When everyone’s been fed.

I love thee most the next day

When I am tired still.

You provide a hearty meal again

No more birds to kill…till…

Next year I bid thee farewell

And ask only one thing:

Come cooked and stuffed if you can

So I don’t have to sing

The song, NOT YET! NOT YET!

Stop asking when the bird is done

Go jump into the pumpkin pie

Before I reload my gun

And shoot the bird right out of town

And run back to my childhood days

When Mom did not bake a Tom,

My spicy curry chicken phase.

I cannot tell a lie, I can’t

When all the kids would rant and rave

About their turkey dinner day

Oh Tom, all I could do was crave.

Another year, another bird

Now I know you and I’m good.

Anyone want to cook for me?

Would eat-out this year If I could.

But alas my love for you holds true

I will bake thee until the stick pops up

And make a toast and say my thanks

To God who kindly fills my cup!

Rajdeep Paulus