Thanksgiving is the perfect time for poetry. As America’s harvest festival, it is a moment to express gratitude for family, friends, and life itself. It invites reflection on the past, while celebrating the present—making it an ideal occasion for poetic expression.
Although Thanksgiving may not fit the traditional image of the solitary poet, these poems capture the spirit of the holiday. From 19th-century poets like Harriet Maxwell Converse to 21st-century voices like Elizabeth Alexander, poets have long found inspiration in this time of year. Whether you’re seeking a pre-meal toast, a piece of American history, or a conversation starter for after dinner, these poems are sure to add warmth and depth to the celebration.
Toasts and Prayers
A Thanksgiving to God, for His House – Robert Herrick
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing – James Weldon Johnson
The Thanksgivings – Harriet Maxwell Converse
Thanksgiving – Edgar Albert Guest
Family, Food, and Fellowship
Butter – Elizabeth Alexander
Family Reunion – Maxine W. Kumin
Perhaps the World Ends Here – Joy Harjo
Stomacks – Albert Goldbarth
Thanksgiving Magic – Rowena Bastin Bennett
Yam – Bruce Guernsey
Totem – Eamon Grennan
The Season
My Triumph – John Greenleaf Whittier
Signs of the Times – Paul Laurence Dunbar
Thanksgiving Day – L. Maria Child
The Garden of Proserpine – Algernon Charles Swinburne
The Pumpkin – John Greenleaf Whittier
When the Frost is on the Punkin – James Whitcomb Riley
Zebra – C.K. Williams
The Gift Outright – Robert Frost
To Autumn – John Keats
These poems reflect the warmth, gratitude, and joy that define Thanksgiving. Whether shared over dinner or in quiet reflection, they are a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday and its deeper meanings.
