Thanksgiving Poems

Thanksgiving is a unique holiday in the United States. People celebrate and acknowledge the help of family and friends, and a reminder of what a gift it is to be alive. It's a moment during Native American Heritage Month to lift up indigenous voices, and it's a time to reflect on tradition. It’s a day to overindulge in the here and now, and it is also a time to reflect on the past, by turns difficult and joyful. In other words, it’s a great holiday for poetry.

These poems show that the occasion has provided poets—from Harriet Maxwell Converse in the 19th century to Elizabeth Alexander in the 21st—with plenty of food for thought. Whether you’re looking for a pre-meal toast, a way to give thanks, or a late-night conversation starter, these poems should provide ample stuffing.