“Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1986” first appeared in print in Tornado Alley, a chapbook published by William S. Burroughs in 1989. Two years later, Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho, Milk) shot a montage that brought the poem to film, making it at least the second time the director adapted the beat writer to film.
If you’ve seen Burroughs use Shakepseare’s face for target practice, or if you’ve watched The Junky’s Christmas, you’ll know that he wasn’t kind to convention or tradition. And there are no prisoners taken here, as you’ll see above. This clip will be added to our Cultural Icons collection. Now time for a little Thanksgiving dinner….
h/t BoingBoing
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Thank you, Bill. I was reminded of why I loved you so much growing up, hearing this poem. You are greatly missed, but your work and legacy lives on. Happy Thanksgiving America!