an early but timely Thanksgiving!

"dedicated to The Coopers of shady pine rd, K Falls, Oregon,
in thanks for their kind hospitality!!"

October 06 finds me foolish and poor,
but not out of doors nor really of soul,
so really with a bit to be thankful for:

like a solid home for coming snows,
cabbage omelettes and good potatoes,

many-colored friends good in time of danger,
and a dark babe who needn't sleep in a rustic manger!

melancholy turned leaves of yellow and red,
a sweet-smelling book of things barnacled Melville said,

the balancing sways of wind, fire, and water,
and a painted work by a Native idaho potter

then I've a mind fair well travelled
and a body long well fed,
like by last night's Alaskan cod fried up by sweet ol Eva
(anyone there would surely agree)

then the sight of easily stamping horses in a neighbor's pasture,
unlimited water unsurpassedly pure,

chances for peace, grace, and amends,
and a sense that happier days these winds briskly portend.