Thanksgiving
Before the crab stuffing and the molten greens,
the grieving turkey, crispy leg reserved
for my wife, there is this year’s drink—
tamarind, tequila, lime, mint, soda, jalapeño,
and champagne. I am the eager taster, hiding
in the corner from my previously sober son.
Fix you a non-alcoholic drink? I ask jerkily
while he lurks nearby this tureen of booze.
Really, everywhere you look there’s booze,
wine and beer and champagne, drinks that look
like innocent cans of soda named spicy or fully loaded.
Would you name your car, your cat, your girlfriend that?
Do what you need to do my son, I murmur.
I know it’s difficult for you, Mom, says my sweet, sweet son.
I don’t need to do anything.
But sooner or later, you have to get used to it…
I remember annihilation. Addiction was in charge.
Finally stopped when he turned 18. A miracle.
Tonight, alive and well, now almost 24 years old.
Do what you like. I whisper and hide far away,
remembering those cold, cold nights in the ER.
The rolled back eyes. He smiles softly
and drinks calmly. I hide my terror
in a small box and sit down to eat.
Originally published in Secondary Inspections by Carla Rachel Sameth (Nymeria Publishing), reprinted by permission
Want more poetry? Listen to Carla read from the collection here
Feature photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash
About the Author
Carla Rachel Sameth was the 2022-2024 Co-Poet Laureate for Altadena, CA and a 2023 Poet Laureate Fellow with the Academy of American Poets. Her books include the memoir, One Day on the Gold Line, the chapbook, What Is Left, and her full-length poetry collection, Secondary Inspections. Carla’s writing on blended/unblended, queer, multiracial and single parent families appears in a variety of publications and has been selected three times as Notable Essays of the Year in Best American Essays. A Pushcart and Best of the Net nominee. a Pasadena Rose Poet, a West Hollywood Pride Poet, and a former PEN Teaching Artist, Carla teaches creative writing to high school and college students, incarcerated youth and other diverse communities.
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