Misfit Thanksgiving
A harvest tradition of love
Under one crooked roof
we gather, a patchwork of tired pilgrims.
The divorcee still learning
how to fold her laundry again, for just herself.
The addict in recovery, counting the
minutes carefully with each small step til the next sun rise.
The single seeker, mid-life, with retired praying hands,
still scanning the sky for a sign.
Fatherless. Family-less.
Yet, here, we are a gathering,
awkward limbs and all,
children squealing over spilled paint,
turning pumpkins into messy mantle heirlooms,
and pine cones into Christmas ornaments.
I tally mark the tablecloth,
one line for each year I sat here solo,
and yet, for the day, they blur
into laughter and sweet potato casserole.
We pass plates around
along with confessions that we already share quietly,
between bites of stuffing and laughter.
Forgiveness is already served,
too loud for the emptiness
that was left at the door.
Later,
we line up for Starbucks
the sweetness a ritual
coffee cups cradle.
The world beyond the windows
is quiet for a day
and less cruel for a moment.
Here, we are enough,
a holiday embroidered from imperfect threads.
About the Creator
Natasha Collazo
Selected Writer in Residency, Champagne France ---2026
The Diary of an emo Latina OUT NOW
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Poetry Workshop
Previously, I published my first ever exclusive story on Vocal. If you’ve subscribed to my work, then you have access to it. Thank YOU for your support. I hope to make each read worth your while. So with that, I’ll be posting insights for exclusive readers only, such as a workshop on my craft. The hows and who’s of my stories. Pretty much revealing my secrets on how I write with you. So welcome fam, and let’s get started!
By Natasha CollazoExclusive • about a year ago
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler4 days ago in Interview
Comments (2)
“Less cruel for a moment” This entire poem is spot on, but that line stands out as especially true. How crucial and necessary those moments of relief become! This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you write about singleness and the sense of longing that comes with it. Relatable! As a single dad I don’t have time for a real friendship, let alone romance, but there are times where I wish I had the freedom to go out and be with people. Whether you think we were created by God or evolution or both, it’s seems we were not made to be islands. At least not permanently! Solitude is great and necessary but We thrive when we’re in good partnerships. That said, I think the healthy, instinctive pressure to seek connection is kicked into overdrive by social pressures. Like people urging single folks to just put themselves out there or assuring them there’s someone out there just for them. That kind of stuff. Or when we leave an ex, and people think they need to offer comfort and encouragement that it’ll be no time until we find someone new. lol, sometimes a breakup should be embraced, as a time for self healing, rather than a tragedy. Anyway, I hope you’re able to regulate that social pressure. Society really tries to tell people to be uncomfortable with themselves— and I don’t think this applies to you— but a lot of people fall for the false message that their worth is diminished when they are alone. But people who define themselves and their own worth by their partner are always missing the point. Personally, I think in most cases spending significant time single is a testament to one’s strength and self love! People who rush into or cling to relationships for fear of being alone with themselves are sometimes too willing to accept toxicity and abuse. And sometimes too unwilling to be introspective. Your poem brought up lots of thoughts for me, sorry for the lengthy reply. In any case, wishing you well!
A wonderful poem, Natasha, puts me in Thanksgiving mode already.