We used to offer Thanks
on a well-fed Thursday
in late November.
Encroached by big business
clamoring for profit,
feast turned to famine.
Now parents working extra shifts
(to afford merry surprises)
are trampled red
beneath the soles
of 1,000 thankless feet.
writeamuck 
What a sad world. I love Thanksgiving!
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Powerful image at the end that gives a lot of impact.
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This refers to Black Friday, right? I am a little unsure since I am not familiar with Thanksgiving customs. Sad that a day of gratitude must be spent shivering in the cold.
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Yes! More specifically, it’s speaking to how Black Friday has moved its way into Thanksgiving Day, some stores opening as early as 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. It’s so sad that corporate America can’t forgo profits to let its employees have ONE DAY with their families. And even more so that the American public encourages such behavior by lining up outside the doors no matter what time of day (or night) or holiday it is.
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Very powerful last line. I also like the structure of this piece, adds to its effectiveness.
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I, too, like the structure of this. Boo! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!!!
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I know! Mine too!! I have a cousin who manages a retail store and she can’t even spend it with her family anymore. She has to go in too early to set up the store for Thursday’s Black “Friday” sale.
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Fantastic! “..are trampled red beneath the soles of 1,000 thankless feet.” Love this line!
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Wow – I can’t believe you pulled that out of this prompt. Really nicely done.
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Great take on the prompt! Very creative and also, sadly, true.
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Really nicely done, Genna! The circling around, and dotting of i’s is so effective.
Personally, shopping is my least favorite thing to do. Oh, except getting trampled red.
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What a smart response, Genna! I love that you hid little references in there, like “merry.”
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Grats on the top 3 finish!
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