There once was a green and orange hammock
Its striped colors stood out bright and bold
Nana unpacked, unraveled, hung it up quick
For Thanksgiving was just down the road.
The menu she wrote, then typed it all up
The groceries she shopped for and stocked
First measuring ingredients with measuring cup
Crimping crusts of pies bound for the oven, then stopped.
Resting she poured mugs of chamomile tea
Cut celery, spread cream cheese, bit with a crunch
Waving madly while hanging from two sturdy trees
Was that frolicking hammock just watching her munch.
Now the cook gazed, took note of the show
Urgently, the animated fabric continued to coax
Sensing gran's love to swing, a hammock in the know
Delighted as she walked out under the oaks.
Pulling the edge then backing into her seat
Little used, this cloth should bear her weight
Uttering a deep sigh, What a treat!
Laying down to sway; it felt great.
At first the air fresh, but with the heat of the sun
Thoughts moved from this rest, right back to her list
So the swinging gran sighed, now finished with fun
And returned to her mixing, wooden spoon in her fist.
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The colors of dawn shone bright from the east
First one in the shower, then drying her hair
It’s stuffing the turkey time, the day of the feast
Cutting up the potatoes, hubby sat in a chair.
Six hours later, sage and bread filled the air
Knockings then greetings soon in streamed them all
Ate up deviled eggs, dip, chips and pickles with care
A next round, the main course with veggies piled tall.
Soon big boys came hunting along with some dads
For turkey, gravy, all that their plates could bear
Not much was left when exited the lads
The third round: pies and cream was the fare.
Adult conversations flowed and varied by group
The youngest ran upstairs for toys in their boxes
While the teens and tweens took off like a troupe
Out the back door in a flash: prancing wild foxes.
With a xeriscaped yard, and not much to do
The brightly striped hammock got their attention
Thrilled that these grands came, not just a few
Swinging began; squealing escaped from the tension.
But nobody spoke of what quite happened next
Whether play on the hammock lasted long or short
“The dog,” all sent to Nana with answers by text
Another sent video evidence, kids in riotous cavort.
Butterscotch, the bounding pup got the blame
For the useless sad hammock that day in half tore
Because she was frisky so young and not tame
For she jumped, chewed, and rough housed outdoors.
But Nana just chuckled while her husband joined in
They both loved their family and were glad for the fun
Was this the third or fourth hammock to pass? with a grin
Another great Thanksgiving feast with family was done.
