We gladly hail this coming day
With joy and sadness united,
And may it prove to one and all,
A day of joy undivided;
This custom of long, long ago,
We observe, year by year, with pride,
And to-day we can meet once more
Around the dear old home fireside.
One of the brightest spots to us,
As we journey on through life's way,
Is the meeting of dear old friends
On the renowned Thanksgiving day;
Our thoughts often drift o'er the past
To when our board numbered still more,
But 'tis ever like Thanksgiving
To those on that silvery shore.
How sweet is this old-time custom
In which we yearly take a part,
'Tis a festivity held dear
To ev'ry true and noble heart;
Let us enjoy this privilege,
Each and all, the wisest we may,
We'll resume life's duties better
For this well-spent Thanksgiving Day.
Venelia R. Case
[Grange Poems: Bloomfield, CT - 1891]
