Queen of the May!

Happy May Day!

I have long celebrated May Day (not because I am either Pagan or Communist as some who look at those who have historically marked this day) but because it is often mentioned in British poetry.



"But I must gather knots of flowers

And buds and garlands gay,

For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother,

I'm to be Queen o' the May!"

-Alfred Lord Tennyson


I have even had May Day's where I have actually danced around a May Pole. One year in 4th Grade we learned it in gym class. I think it was because we were learning about the Renaissance but any excuse to get out of floor hockey was welcome.

Another year they had a festival in Tuckerton, NJ when I was on Long Beach Island for vacation. They had a bunch of us at the street fair join in and attempt the dance.

What I will tell you about that dance is that it must be done by professionals, when the rest of us attempt it, it tends to look a lot like what would happen if you drank a few pitchers of Sangria and tried to rig up Christmas tree lights.

To celebrate May Day I went for a walk early this morning. I saw bouncing robins looking for the worms that thrive near the water spout. I fed a peanut to the the chipmunk that lives near the mailboxes. I breathed in the morning and felt how good it is to be alive.
Then I returned home to drink tea and read poetry while wearing my May Day wreath of flowers. Most delightful.