May Day
What it meant growing up
May Day in our neighborhood meant May Day baskets. We would prepare small baskets for the neighbors, and they for us. Then we would take the basket to the door, ring the bell, or knock and run. Someone would chase you, and if they caught you, it would mean a kiss.
As I got older, I learned about other things that happened on May Day in previous years. Fighting for shorter work days was the main one. Now, there are other protests on May Day that are taking place around the country.
May Day
What can I say
It made for a fun childhood
memory time, so good
Things changed over time
Nothing like it in a longtime
It was a great childhood memory
I wrote about it in my diary
Maybe it should make a comeback
along with the protests, as they are back
I like the idea of world peace, it probably
won't happen in my lifetime, honestly
~~~~
Mother's Day
is in May
My mother isn't alive
She was seventy-five
when she died
So many cried
She prayed with so many
As she was dying there wasn't any
dry eyes in the place.
We filled every space.
She said, "I'm ready to go.
My daughter isn't ready though."
So she kept me busy
feeding people made me dizzy
She was the hostess
with the mostess
until the end.
At her funeral, we would send
her off in the best way
planned for many a day
There was a turkey dinner for all
She planned it herself for fall
She died in September 2009.
No more Mother's Day I whine!
~~~~
About the Creator
Denise E Lindquist
I am married with 7 children, 28 grands, and 13 great-grandchildren. I am a culture consultant part-time. I write A Poem a Day in February for 8 years now. I wrote 4 - 50,000 word stories in NaNoWriMo. I write on Vocal/Medium daily.
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Comments (5)
Oh wow, I had no idea about May Day. It's so scaryyyy that they would kiss you if you get caught, lol. Loved your poems!
Lovely poems! 😔 I’ve not heard of May Day before. Sounds like fun. 🙂
beautiful and fantastic 👍👍
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt poem. I can feel the love and loss in your words—your memories of May Day and your mother are both beautiful and bittersweet. She sounds like someone who gave deeply to others, right up until the end. May is my worst month me with it being Mother's Day and the month I lost my mother. Sending you peace this May.
We used to do the May Day Pole as kids, lol Great poem, Denise. Your mom lived a full life, I'm sure.