by Annette Wynne

The Pilgrims came across the sea,
And never thought of you and me;
And yet it's very strange the way
We think of them Thanksgiving Day.

We tell their story old and true
Of how they sailed across the blue,
And found a new land to be free
And built their homes quite near the sea.

The people think that they were sad,
And grave; I'm sure that they were glad -
They made Thanksgiving Day - that's fun -
We thank the Pilgrims every one!

All in a Word

Aileen Fisher

T for time to be together,

turkey, talk, and tangy weather.

home, and hearth, and holiday.

and abundance in the heart.

nice things, new things to remember.

kith and kin expected soon.

and something special that abounds.

and a jolly good Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims

Bobbi Katz

In the year of 1620
on a cold Decembre day
a hundred and two pilgrims
sailed into Plymouth Bay.
Still wary from their voyage -
still gacing winter's chill -
they kept their sights on freedom
with courage, work, and will.
Pilgrims did not stop to think
of riches, fame, or glory
while bravely playing starring roles
in our new nation's story.

I'm Thankful

I'm thankful for the daily food,
Upon our table spread,
For meat and milk and fruit so good,
For work that brings us bread.

I'm thankful for each bird that sings,
For stars and waving trees,
For colors which the autumn brings,
And sounds and sights like these.

I'm thankful for my bed and rest,
For dark when daylight ends;
Of all my thanks, this is the best:
For family and friends.

The First Thanksgiving

Jack Prelutsky

When the Pilgrims
first gathered together to share
with their Indian friends
in the mild autumn air,
they lifted the voices
in jubilant praise
for the bread on the table,
the berries and maize,
for field and for forest,
for turkey and deer,
for the bountiful crops
they were blessed with that year.
They were thankful for these
as they feasted away,
and as they were thankful
we're thankful today.

First Thanksgiving

Margaret Hillert

If I had been a Pilgrim child
Among the fields and forests wild
Where deer and turkey used to roam,
A cabin would have been my home
With fireplace and earthen floor
And bearskins hanging at the door.
I would have gathered berries bright
For candles fragrantly alight.
And dug for clams and picked the corn
And laid the table smooth and worn.
Or hunted nuts hard-shelled and good
And helped in any way I could,
With time to laugh and play and run
When Indian children came for fun.
And on the first Thanksgiving Day
I would have met with friends to pray
And thank the Lord for all his care
In keeping us together there.

Thanksgiving

Ivy O. Eastwick

Thank You
for all my hands can hold ->
apples red
and melons gold,
yellow corn
both ripe and sweet,
peas and beans
so good to eat!

Thank You
for all my eyes can see -
lovely sunlight,
field and tree,
white cloud-boats
in sea-deep sky,
soaring bird
and butterfly.

Thank You
for all my ears can hear -
birds' song echoing
far and near,
songs of little
stream, big sea,
cricket, bullfrog,
duck and bee!