William S. Burroughs - Thanksgiving Prayer

I intended to post this earlier in the day, but I didn't have any spare time before the Thanksgiving proceedings started. This is a 1988 recording of William S. Burroughs reading "Thanksgiving Prayer". I can't say that I completely agree with Burrough's cynical view of "Turkey Day"; nevertheless, I happen to like Burroughs, and this was the only Thanksgiving related media I could think of that I would be willing to post. Despite being dealt a bad hand this year, I have a lot to be thankful for. I would also like to thank those of you who visit this blog, especially those who take the time to leave comments and communicate with me.

Thanks for the wild turkey and the passenger pigeons, destined to be shit out through wholesome American guts.

Thanks for a continent to despoil and poison.

Thanks for Indians to provide a modicum of challenge and danger.

Thanks for vast herds of bison to kill and skin leaving the carcasses to rot.

Thanks for bounties on wolves and coyotes.

Thanks for the American dream, to vulgarize and to falsify until the bare lies shine through.

Thanks for the KKK.

For nigger-killin' lawmen, feelin' their notches.

For decent church-goin' women, with their mean, pinched, bitter, evil faces.

Thanks for "Kill a Queer for Christ" stickers.

Thanks for laboratory AIDS.

Thanks for Prohibition and the war against drugs.

Thanks for a country where nobody's allowed to mind their own business.

Thanks for a nation of finks.

Yes, thanks for all the memories - all right, let's see your arms!

You always were a headache and you always were a bore.

Thanks for the last and greatest betrayal of the last and greatest of human dreams.

- William S. Burroughs
Thanksgiving Prayer