two thanksgivings by: orange

The warmth of the kitchen carried the delicious smells through the house
The chilled night air stifled the unwelcome scent that we carried,
Of turkey, and pasta, steamed carrots, green beans, cream corn and cranberry sauce.
If I had a choice, I wouldn’t choose it over anchovy and sardine gravy.
It’s a family dinner, most were there, except for a few cousins, who were out elsewhere
“We’re in this together, now it’s a family affair,” spoke by one in the darkness to any who would hear.
Soon, we all gathered at the table, and one after another, as usual, everyone started their own prayer
Our little congregation soon reached the backyard tree, in which sat two crows whose eyes shone like mirrors
This created an argument, since no three played the same, and each refused to acknowledge another god’s name. 
Like two rulers or kings, it seemed they passed judgement on us with the beat of their wings
“Personally, I do not care if we agree on Allahu Akbar, in Jesus’ name, or by Yahweh we pray, cause it’s all just the same.”
As they flew down and away, so silent it seemed, that they now seemed like ghosts, if you know what I mean
At least that’s what I tried to say, before it got so loud I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
Now came the task at hand, having to dig a grave for this poor young man.
As tempers flared from anger and intolerance, so I started to make my way to the back door that leads outside.
With the task done we lowered him down, all the while spilling down fragrant oils over his body and our hands
I heard a crashing noise just as I crossed the threshold, and then everything went dark, and felt so cold
With a prayer to the universe, a matchbook was dropped, then a perfumed fire brought warmth to our lot
His mother screamed first, then the arguing stopped, my cousin was dead in a doorway, killed by a shard of a smashed bowl.
Then tears held by shock and emotions froze by need are released by the understanding of what has been wrought
It was an accident, on this we all agreed, he didn’t have many ties in life, so we decided to bury him by the backyard tree
And so, sad and distraught,  we all still give thanks for the blessing he brought to the family
We collected his body and grabbed the needed tools, this whole ordeal, though, is really just too much for me.

For with his death, our divisions ceased, and now our bonds are stronger, it’s just messed up that his death accomplished that need.