I, for one,
am thankful for the democratic republic
in which I live
and all the right and privileges
bestowed upon me
by choosing to be born
in such a cool place.

I am thankful
to have stuffed myself
well past excess this day
and having a home
in which I can keep leftovers
until they become stale
or rotten
and to have a sanitation system
that will let that food sit outside
for enough time
so that those scavengers
that need my left-out leftovers
can take advantage of them.

I am thankful
that I know people
that will pick me up when I fall
and help me learn not to fall
quite so badly
and will help me through
the rest of this ugly Fall.

I am thankful
for what I have
and I am sad
about what I lack
and I am frightened
about what I risk losing.
I am legions
it seems.

Still:
amongst the mix
is thankful.