A Day Off
In ancient times was born a day, for festival and joyful feast
Where all would gather eagerly, to pour the wine and roast the beast
And at first these new days, gave the people needed rest
Gave them pause from toil and worry, made them feel that they were blessed
But over years and under eons, new days contrived were added on
Days to worship fellow men, or worship season, moon and sun
And soon this list of special days, got beyond all real control
And came to be under compulsion, and so began to take their toll
And man forgot the origins, the purpose and the why
And so embroiled with heavy hearts, with cost and groan and sigh
A day for Christ, born and dead, on a day he did not choose
To self-indulge with merriment, and Christianity re-use
But soon became the bearded saint, and jolly man of snow
Or chocolate feast and bunny hop, and mystic mistletoe
A day for thanks, a day for dads, a day for Saints and ghouls
And one for lovers and for mothers, and even one for fools
Remembering bloody victory, or the start of a new year
A day to gorge and one to fast, for fireworks and fear
And a day for every one of us, so we are worshipped too
To make us feel loved just once a year, cause once will have to do
In the name of peace, and the name of fun, we proudly celebrate
And revel till we're fed and fat, and in a sorry drunken state
Ensuring none are overlooked, in our calendar display
Where, not just people, but even demons, have a special day
And then the days become the law, and choice is left undone
Compelled to celebrate each time, or risk us being shunned
For who can deny a chocolate egg, for child or lover sweet?
Or deny a mother's floral gift, or children's spooky treat?
Who would dare to question these, and stop from living lies?
Who will defy these decrees, and in the face of pressure fly?
For we comply, to please the world, while we incur the debt
Though the birthday boy be a loathsome lad, for one day he is the best
And children challenge strangers, for sugar under threat
And mum is glorified one day, then daily we forget
For if we are forced to love one day, when and how and who
How less likely all year round, do we tell them “I love you”?
Yet among these obligation days, one was left behind
A day given long ago, but one to which we're blind
Remember that day of rest that was, when families were one
And the world would stop and contemplate, and gather in the sun
No more days like that for us, this world has gone beyond
Past truth and love, and God above, to whom we once belonged
And so, I choose to have a day, where no-one is adored
Where no purchase is required, one which we can afford
Where the corporates do not dictate, and sell plastic love to us
And the measure of our affection, is not how much it cost
And give no name, nor choose a date, but fellowship hold dear
And warmly tend to love and friend, on all days of the year
About this poem
Imagine not being obligated to observe all holidays?!
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Written on June 11, 2022
Submitted by Moomin on June 11, 2022
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 2:55 min read
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Quick analysis:
Scheme | AABB XCDD EEXX FFGG HHII JJKK CXLL XEMB MMII NNCC XX OOXX HH |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic heptameter |
Characters | 2,904 |
Words | 580 |
Stanzas | 13 |
Stanza Lengths | 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 2, 4, 2 |
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"A Day Off" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/129768/a-day-off>.
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