Giving Thanks

Staring at the lace of the table cloth,
making patterns, seeing faces.
Dinner; all together this time.
Invite someone new.
Bring in fresh memories to taste.
Smile some more,
explain that scar
decipher that tattoo;
recall what family is like thousands of miles away.
I caught your eyes on me
in a gentle way; just sweet intentions.
I feel my guard slipping ,
my hand slipping into yours,
under the table as we laugh
at my brother's fatherly impression.