Thanksgiving Delay

It seemed a family tradition
When we were growing up
To spend Thanksgiving
Together with the relatives,
But no matter how much work
Went into the preparations,
The coordinative art
Of getting the turkey done
Simultaneously with the rest of dinner
Was never mastered
And every Thanksgiving
We ritually grumbled about
Those hours of starvation
Between the time
Dinner was promised
And when we actually feasted.