Family Ties

They travel long distances well aware
of where they are going and what they'll find there
in ancient wagons arriving unseen
they greet us with smiles but question our dreams
while ritual practice presumes our degree
of pleasure whether or not we agree
we tie up the bird as we do our thoughts
all dressed for the dinner the turkey is brought
giving thanks for the season there isn't a trace
feelings long past mask our prepossessed face
and too seldom does someone ask or say please
too stubborn to separate from their own means
while purpose prevails upon the whole scene
and turkey is gobbled up in between