“He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.” Menander of Ephesus
May Day: Thoughts & Poems... May Blossoms
May Day: Thoughts & Poems... Poster by Hugh D'Andrade via occuprint
Excerpt from May-Day by Ralph Waldo Emerson(1867)
Wreaths for the May! for happy Spring
Today shall all her dowry bring
The love of kind, the joy, the grace,
Hymen of element and race,
Knowing well to celebrate
With song and hue and star and state,
With tender light and youthful cheer,
The spousals of the new-born year.
Lo love’s inundation poured
Over space and race abroad
Happy May Day! I can’t believe we are already in a new month with goals to accomplish and high expectations for a warm and sunny spring. While we might see May as the height of spring, May 1 is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and holiday. It is celebrated in many cultures with a special festive ceremony or parade to welcome the fullness of spring. It is also the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of workers; hence its tie to labor and the world of work. In the USA, May Day is a day to honor the labor movement, Spring and another important holiday, Law Day. According to Wikipedia, Law Day “is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance for society.” What ever our grand plans are for spring or the month of May, I’ve gathered a few poems that honor both May Day and the month of May… What goals do you have for this glorious month? UPDATE: ***I’ve added some posters curated from Occuprint.org. They showcase gorgeous global art from the occupy movement. Check out the posters!
“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.” Thomas Jefferson
May Day: Thoughts & Poems...
May Day: Thoughts & Poems... Poster by Marx Aviano via occuprint
May Day by American poet Sara Teasdale (1884 – 1933)
A delicate fabric of bird song
Floats in the air,
The smell of wet wild earth
Is everywhere.Red small leaves of the maple
Are clenched like a hand,
Like girls at their first communion
The pear trees stand.Oh I must pass nothing by
Without loving it much,
The raindrop try with my lips,
The grass with my touch;For how can I be sure
I shall see again
The world on the first of May
Shining after the rain?
As I read up on May Day, I found out that in many parts of the world, May Day is synonymous with International Workers’ Day, or Labour Day. It was also viewed, in the Celtic tradition, as the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Another important tidbit I found is that May Day is considered a cross quarter day because it is halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Many of the celebrations we find include fertility celebrations, a cleansing and releasing of the energies of the months gone by, and re-affirming and planting new seeds for the months ahead. What mental motivational seeds have you planted for the next six months?
“Don’t knock the weather: nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.” Kin Hubbard
May Day: Thoughts & Poems...
May Day: Thoughts & Poems... Poster by Rich Black via Occuprint
The Humours of May Day by Anon (1770)
What Frolicks are here
So droll and so queer
How joyful appeareth the day
E’en Bunter and Bawd
Unite to applaud
And celebrate first of the May
I find that once May kicks in, I begin to plan my summer and get-togethers with friends and family. Another important event to cherish this month is the 61st annual National Day of Prayer which will take place on Thursday, May 3, 2012. We can use a portion of that day to reflect, regroup, and extend our prayers and best wishes to our friends, family and all in need of a prayerful heart. What plans do you have for May? More poetry below…
