by Allen H.
Member since:
November 29, 2008

SatWE ~ March Holidays

March 05, 2011 04:32 PM UTC
views: 0 | 6 people recommend this | comments: 22

Challenge: Write something about the month of March or any holiday occurring in this 2011 month.

Holiday: Noun



2: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically : a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event
 
The Ides of March aren't heaven sent
 
Anniversaries just recall a special event
 
Ash Wednesday is indeed a holy day
 
but March has no statutory holiday!
 
 
 
I distinguish between a Holy Day
 
and a real day-off-work Holiday:
 
Holy Days were once the only way
 
for leisure from labour, still with pay.
 
 
 
March has no days off with pay,
 
even though it's the start of Lent!
 
Why's Ash Wednesday not a holiday?
 
Is our Government really that Hell-bent?


Comments: 22

JOHN BECK Mar 5, 2011, 5:28pm UTC
I put my 10 foot pole away. I won't touch the "separation" issue!

Our clinic used to excuse employees for long enough to participate in Ash Wednesday services if they so chose--with pay. I don't know how many employers do this today. Do you suppose I can take my sister's birthday off with pay?
Allen H. Mar 5, 2011, 8:54pm UTC
Of course you can if you have leave days accumulated!
Christmas and Easter are Holidays: why not Ash Wednesday?
They too are Christian, in spite of Church and State "Separated."
In keeping with your question, March 9 is also my birthday!
JOHN BECK Mar 5, 2011, 9:30pm UTC
Happy Birthday on the 9th, Allen. I would take the day off as a holiday but I checked my calendar and I guess I'd better not. Perhaps I'll make a cake or sip some single malt.
Allen H. Mar 6, 2011, 2:52am UTC
Sadly on Ash Wednesday my celebration
shall be somewhat restrained indeed:
Lent precludes the sin of inebriation
Birthday? I can't even eat meat!
Lynn P. Mar 9, 2011, 5:21pm UTC
Happy Brithday, Allen. So, you're an Aquarius? How's that feel? ;)

And a birthday on Ash Wednesday? Now that's a kill joy! Celebrate anyway - no one's looking.
Allen H. Mar 12, 2011, 6:06am UTC
Last time I checked that makes me a Piscean,
but I don't believe in Astrology any way:
Pisces never do!
JOHN BECK Mar 12, 2011, 7:48am UTC
Yeah, I don't care if I'm not really a Gemini.
Len Maxwell Mar 5, 2011, 7:14pm UTC
I enjoyed your take on this and, like John, I won't touch that one issue.

Thank you for taking the SatWE challenge in such a neat way. I think it needs to be featured on Gather Writing Essential.
Allen H. Mar 5, 2011, 8:55pm UTC
Wow - I'm honoured!
Angela A. Mar 5, 2011, 7:21pm UTC
Don't rightly know why they never made Ash Wednesday a holiday. Would be nice though.
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Allen H. Mar 5, 2011, 8:59pm UTC
It is the beginning of Lent - Fasting and abstinence:
A Christian version of Ramadan before Easter.
What I'm saying it is not a celebration either,
a day off work would not encourage abstinence!
Angela A. Mar 5, 2011, 9:15pm UTC
I know about Lent. I was in church for many years.
Never really gave up anything for it. Because, I mostly gave up all my bad habits years ago.
Brenda Youngerman Mar 5, 2011, 9:19pm UTC
I am indeed impressed!
Allen H. Mar 6, 2011, 2:20pm UTC
Thanks, Brenda
Bernard C. Mar 6, 2011, 6:32am UTC
March of march hare's - the ides of march (those are hidden out of view or will jump out and surprise you) - there is also shrove tuesday (pancake day) followed by Ash wednesday - Its also St. Davids day - St. Patricks day - and no actual holiday - Thanks for sharing :-)

Thanks for submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Allen H. Mar 6, 2011, 2:20pm UTC
Thanks, Bernard.
Adelaide M. Mar 7, 2011, 1:29pm UTC
Thanks for posting to Point Taken.
Lynn P. Mar 9, 2011, 5:24pm UTC
From 1st grade through half of 5th grade, I went to St. Pat's, so we got a day off in March. Unfortunately, we were the only ones to do so, so, for my day off, Mom would drag me to work with her. She taught 6th grade, so it wasn't much of a day off. lol
Kushal Poddar Mar 16, 2011, 10:27pm UTC
Every line of this poem, a holiday
Allen H. Apr 17, 2011, 12:18am UTC
Lots of Holy Days in my poem:
No Holidays in March...
Sheila Deeth Mar 21, 2011, 8:50pm UTC
Very nice. Interesting and intriguing read.
Allen H. Apr 17, 2011, 12:20am UTC
Glad you like it -
Tongue in Cheek:
the poem's a bit
written by a geek!

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