Thanksgiving,2009 Poem by Maurice Harris

Gratitude, Obligation, Thankfulness-this, I would rather
Than to allow for the grief of my heart's longing, to gather!

It is what I do have that lifts me, above the realm of sorrow;
With the grace of God, may I banish it further by the morrow!
My lamented heart is strengthened by all the love I do possess,
Though still, in time's of solitude, I allow my emotion's compress!
Be not ever shall it, any different, until reasons inherent are banished-
The fiendish deeds of others are chastened, their influence, vanished!

Though they are not near to me, nor may they be within my sight,
I give prayerful thanks to Him for their existence, each and every night!
I know they feel my love and long for me, as I do, them;
Long do I still, for we three to have occasion to be ibidem!
Two Sisters, who have ne'er made acquaintance, for shame-
Alas, until this day does come, I shall want e'er, for the same!

-Maurice Harris,26 November 2009