A  Thanksgiving Meal
By Kathy Armijo

Thanksgiving is but days away
Time to start working on the meal
This day outweighs
Life’s big deals

I cook to share my bounty
It is a time-honored tradition
A pumpkin pie with crust so flaky
And cooking the turkey that’s been fattened

My favorite dish is red chile
First, I brown the diced pork
Fry it until it’s nice and crispy
Simultaneously, I soak the dried red chile peppers in water

When the chili is pliable, put it in a blender with some chile water
And make a fine puree
When the meat is done
Add some flour to make a rue

Then, stir in the freshly pureed red chile
Season with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic
Let it simmer until it’s a gravy consistency
Always skimming off the orange residue 

Now, you have New Mexican red chile
Pour it on your turkey,
Or mashed potatoes, too
Here, no one will think you’re silly

Add my husband’s homemade bread
The meal is now fit for kings and queens
Soon, we’ll bow our heads
Thanking Him for all His blessings

The meal starts with remembering
ALL of God’s blessings
The bounty that He imparts
It is all straight from the heart

Then, remembering the less fortunate
And those who are separated from their family
Because of war, divorce, death or distance
For love and sadness knows no bounds

Now, the meal begins
“I want the drumstick.  I want white meat.
Pass the potatoes and gravy
No, the red ‘gravy’ ”

Pass the cranberry sauce, please
Where’s the butter for the bread?
You forgot to set the fruit salad, knucklehead
All is done with such pleasantry

We toast our glass of wine
Bon apetite, everyone
Everyone’s talk and laughter fills the air
You hear stories about “remember when”

“You should have been there to see …”
And hope no one remembers …
A wonderful memory in the making
At this family gathering 

After lunch, we sit around still having fun
The dishes can wait
Watch the football games
Or fall asleep, completely satisfied

Thank you for sharing my Thanksgiving meal
And for being my friend
God bless you and yours
Happy Thanksgiving!