there are voices calling my name
on the other side of the world
an empty chair
a glass not filled with wine
dark meat with gravy
stuffing with mushrooms
manicotti
and Robert’s famous meatballs and gravy
hot and sweet sausage
broccoli with garlic, lemon and oil
Johnny bought blueberry pie
only I’m not getting a piece
’cause I’m over here
on the other side of the world
quietly finishing a bottle of wine
trying not to think of your voice
the sorrow in the air
fresh flowers don’t quite kill the smell
of disappointment
regret
another year gone by
that empty chair
that bottle of wine unopened
ice cream melting on a plate
Al Martino singing love songs
George serving salad
and you sliding food onto my plate
the cat under the table
my hand reaching across
space
grabbing nothing
grabbing air
on the other side
of the world
Leonard Durso 
Beautiful & haunting, Len.
Thanksgiving hugs to you from here,
Emily
Thank you, Emily. I appreciate the hugs.
Absolutely amazing, and relatable, even on this side of the world. π
Thank you, Emily. I guess maybe there are those that can relate on any side of the world.
Agreed!
Thank you.
Lovely. Best Thanksgiving wishes..
Thank you, Anita.
Most welcome.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you. Same wish for you and yours.
We had a lovely day. Thank you βΊ π·
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
Thank you for reblogging this, Christopher.
Hi Christopher! You are welcome!
-Douglas
Len, tomorrow go out and buy a Turkish equivalent to a meatball…buy several. Sit down and chomp away till gone. Gulp another class of wine, and then breath deeply. Consider all the lives you have positively affected. Then rejoice in your current circumstances! Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Michael. That’s a lovely thought. I appreciate it.
Amazing! happy Thanksgiving Leo! π
Thank you. And may the skies be clear in Vancouver for you.
π Here’s a Thanksgiving wish for you.
May the sun shine when you opine.
May a turkey gobble with delight he won’t be eaten.
May you find the happiness that lies within
This Thanksgiving greeting!
β€
Thank you, Resa. May we all find happiness within in this troubled world.
{{{hugs}}}
Sentiments beautiful expressed! Happy Thanksgiving-in-absentia!
Thank you, Kunal. Hope your skies are clear of worry, too.
Lovely comment! Thanks, Leonard!
A sad but beautiful memory. At times those memories carry us through some lonely days.
Know that we are here and listening and reading your words, and wishing you peace and love.
You know you can make meatballs and sauce no matter where you live. :o)
Thank you. Actually I’m making meat sauce today since I couldn’t yesterday because my housecleaners were here and so I ordered out (Turkish pizza) and ate with them. I make some kind of padta dish at least once a week, though. Sometimes my version of Bolonese, sometimes my version of Fra Diavolo or Carbonara or sometimes just oil & garlic. I also try to go to Italy at least once a year to soak up as much atmosphere/food as possible to last a while.
Ah, Italy. We spent a month there with family in Naro, Sicily. It was a wonderful experience. Meeting the family we knew through correspondence and phone calls but had never met face to face.
My book “The Italian Thing” is all about our trip and the adventures and misadventures that we lived. It is a humorous memoir. If you have a Kindle you can take a peek at it on amazon.com.
The food and pastries are second to none. We also have family that live in Prato, Florence and Milan. Hopefully one day we will be able to visit all of them again. I found they are the most loving warm people and enjoyed learning and living the lifestyle. Ciao :o)
I actually did purchase it on kindle after I finally found an adapter so I could recharge my kindle. Lost my original adapter on my trip to Kars a while back. Havent read it yet, though, but will review it on amazon once I do.
Thanks Leonard, I hope it makes you smile. :o)
What I read on your blog certainly did.
Warm thoughts- my children were 1000 miles away this year. Raising a glass to you
I raise one in return.
It is in absence that we most miss presence! Still know you manage to find gratitude in your heart this day . . .
This and every day.
One day soon you will fill the chair
Hopefully.