Shelley’s Skylark Hatches My Turkey

We try to ignore Thanksgiving

but for me the thought of turkey,

for Ben the idea of gravy

grow beyond lurking

into me shopping today, no parking

spot is what I imagine

though I’m off in the pink

dawn — it’s not even six.

On my list a bone-in turkey

breast, potatoes for mashing, stuffing makings,

greens & fruit & drink.

To add zest to the malarkey

Ben invites the nerdy

neighbor & his kidlings.

Pie is what Aaron’s bringing, unless he flakes.

My granddaughter’s jonesing for

her first slice of pumpkin

whereas I ponder mince

or lacking that, pecan —

remember childhood evenings of walnut cracking.

All to say, we’re signing

up for plenty of cooking

& afterward, cleaning

up the mess, all to break

fast with family & friends, a last-minute lark.