• Author: Bangs, J.K.
• Editor: B-7413
• Newspaper: The Umpire volume 5
• Page Number:
• Date: 11 29 1916
• Tags:
• poetry
• Thanksgiving
• holiday

THANKSGINING DAY By John Kendrick Bangs

For all the gracious gifts in harvest fair In things material, whose goodly share I richly prize; For man’s abundant wealth that lies in sight, And for the sense of power and of might With which to meet a foe, and fight the fight, my thanks arise. But for the richer gift of Love and Peace That bring the soul a sense of sweet release From pressing care; For mercy shown; for greater growth of soul; For light when clouds of deadly dark uproll To point the way to some more lofty goal, And leads us there; For broader human sympathy, for tears Of Brotherhood to ease another’s fears, And cheer his way; For seeing eyes, and shoulders fit to bear The burdens of our fellows in despair, And right good-will to help them in their care When times are gray; For men of hearts and soul inclined To honor of a lowlier, meeker kind, With grace endued; Who seek all dire injustices to mend, To guide the hopeless to some hopeful end— Not this alone, but all my days I spend In gratitude!