Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving!


The Light In The Kitchen Is On
By Cliff Morrow

As children we'd rise, when first we were called,
Our life back then wasn't charmed.
We'd stretch, and scratch our way down the stairs
Time for chores out here on the farm.

We'd turn to the left, and then down the hall,
To the bathroom, relief met us there.
Then a bend at the waist, and a splash on the face
As our reflection came up, we just stared.

Then it was back down the hall, we squinted a bit
The smells were both subtle and bold.
The bacon sizzled, the coffee perked
"Hurry up or the eggs'll get cold".

I often think back, on Novembers of yore
Filled with the good smells at dawn.
That drew us down stairs in anticipation
To where the light in the kitchen was on.

Soon after school, on cold winter nights,
We'd head to the barn to do chores.
To 'pail' the cow, and feed the sows,
We were frozen right down to the core.

Inside it was warm, where a pie had been born,
And Mom pounded steaks so tender.
And diced potatoes to swim with some peas,
Oh the smells that woman could render.

We'd leave the barn, milk pails in hand,
The warmth and our daylight were gone.
To the welcome sound of silverware spread,
For the light in the kitchen was on.

I now live in that house, it's been fifty plus years,
Since I first had occasion sit,
And dine on the food that was second to none,
It wasn't fancy, with candles lit.

Mom just knew how to cook, and make folks feel welcome,
It's an art that's been lost by most..
Sometimes without warning, visitors would come,
"Have you eaten"? She'd ask as their host.


We've since raised our family on that same fertile farm,
They too have been heirs to good food.
We've gathered together around table spread,
With love, that's well understood.

The kids have moved on and so has life,
And the chilly winds still blow at dawn.
But I smile to myself, when I look at the house,
And the light in the kitchen is on.


I wrote this a while back and have been saving it for Thanksgiving. We are thankful for many things and hope you are as well. Have a Blessed day.

20 comments:

Ralph said...

Excellent poem Cliff. Should be there before the kitchen light comes on tonight.
Ralph

Anonymous said...

Cliff,
That was an excellent poem. I could relate to all those evening chores that lasted past dark. I liked the picture too. You've got a lot of good memories in that old house, don't ya?
To all the Morrows: Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Jerry

Anonymous said...

Cliff, we'll miss seeing you over Thanksgiving. Excellent poem. Brought back alot of memories for me as well.

Vegas Greg

Ivy the Goober said...

Very nice poem! I grew up in cities and air-force bases. Have no idea what it's like to grow up on a farm, but it sounds wonderful (and yummy)

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful.

Rachel said...

Oh Cliff, I LOVED your poem! I smiled all the way through it. Your Mom sounds a lot like my Mom. It brought back a lot of memories of those "good old days."

Enjoy the food and fellowship tomorrow! I have made arrangements for a sitter tomorrow afternoon and I'll be spending the day with my 2 nephews, their families, and my brother and his wife! It'll be great to get away. (I'll probably gain 10 lbs. so I plan to wear elastic waisted pants like Jamie D suggested we all do!!

Blessings to you and all your family!

Peter said...

One of the best Cliff, it's going into my file of poetry that stirs my soul,thanks and happy thanksgiving.

eyes_only4him said...

That was beautful Cliff..

I hope you, your bride, your sons and grandkids have a wonderful Holiday.

( I dont think you have daughters, if u do and I am wrong I wish them the same)
:-)

EV said...

That was great, Cliff. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family!!

Anonymous said...

I've been trying to come up with something to post for Thanksgiving. Now I give up. I'll just send people over here if they want to be inspired!

Hope you and all the Morrows have a wonderful Thanksgiving, even though one is missing.

Jamie Dawn said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy your holiday!
That poem is wonderful. It is so great that you are living there where you have so many wonderful memories.
We travelled all day yesterday to spend Thanksgiving with my hubby's family. We will be gorging in about two hours from now. I can hardly wait!

Paul Nichols said...

From deep in the heart of the Texas Panhandle.

Got here a day late, but hope your Thanksgiving was good--and the weekend is still to come. Happy Thanksgiving weekend.

Gotta get moving. You know how those pesky grandkids are about wanting to show you things.

bridgesitter said...

Happy Thanksgiving Cliff.

Your poem painted the most wonderful picture for me, I'd compare it to Norman Rockwell but I think you did a much better job.

bridge

JUST A MOM said...

Very Nice Cliff, Happy Thanksgiving!

Live, Love, Laugh said...

awesome! I loved the poem, I love the country, I too grew up on a farm!

Idgie @ the "Dew" said...

I love it! Makes me wish I could pop by and set in the kitchen with ya'll a while.

Anonymous said...

I found your site over at Holtie's House and wanted to come by and say hi. Thought I would just read one post, but kept reading and reading. Your poem about the farm is beautiful and made me nostalgic for the house of my childhood.

Jamie Dawn said...

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend has been a very blessed one. We are packed and ready to head home. Enjoy the rest of Sunday, for tomorrow a new week begins... without pumpkin pie.

Cliff said...

Thanks to all, your comments are greatly appreciated.

Gel said...

Hi- I've beeen blogging too much on the run and missed this wonderful "wells tears up in my eyes" poem back closer to the holiday. It poignantly conveys the love and strength of the Morrow clan. It also reminds me of joyous times long past when Thanksgiving was filled with relatives and family instead of only the 4 of us, like when I was preggers w/ our oldest. Nice memories. :)

Here's to a belated GREAT Thanksgiving that all of you obviously had! I could see that light all the way out here!