Today is May the first, true May day. It makes me think of morris dancers outside of thatched pubs, planting out, and the maypole that was everywhere when I was six or seven. Do schools still have maypoles I wonder - plaiting the red and white ribbons right down to the ground in a potent fertility dance. It's a strange time, not everything it seems, not all good, not all renewal and growth. There's a darkness to it; darkness and love and worship of the queen of the May.
I married the queen of the May - oh yes I did. Here's a verse to remind her.
The May Queen.
I got up from my chair before she’d even knocked the door. I
don’t think I knew that she was there before. But opening it, there was she -
head up, eyes bright: “I’ve come for tea, and I may stay the night.” “And you
are?” Her broom sweeps the question clean away. “No sugar, only China .” I heard
her say as she moved into my home - that Queen of May, sucking my life till
every drop was gone. This Queen of May, mayhem more like… and yes, she stayed… and
slowly killed my light.
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ReplyDeleteI'm done with the May now. I want December.
DeleteAnd so sorry to hear that about you Sparkle.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDella Jane Roberts on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteBad luck to put May blossom in your house . Morris Dancers and May Poles Nothing like them here ...
Vicky Sutcliffe on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteMaypole dancing... Found a school photo of me around 9 years old with maypole in the background.... Fond memories.
Liz Shore on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteWe have a maypole at the school where I work and the children are busy practising ...though they will insist on calling what they are doing 'pole dancing' :)