For this Thanksgiving, let’s focus on the giving rather than expressing gratitude for our gifts. Write a poem about what you gave. Use anaphora (repetition of the first word or phrase at the beginning of the line) to tie the poem together. Put a bow on it. This is your present.

Begin each line or, if you prefer, each stanza with I gave.

These gifts may have been unwanted—perhaps they were curses—or maybe they were all that you could  give, but you gave them nonetheless. Who accepted them, and who turned away? What did your gift make?

You can read and listen to Alberto Ríos recite his lovely poem “When Giving Is All We Have” at poets.org.