May Day is the first of May
As you might easily surmise.
Look it up in the history book
And you might get a surprise.
I didn’t know it’s pagan history
When I was a little kid.
I just knew it was a special day
For something that we did.
The last days of April as I recall
Were busy at the ten cent store.
Crepe paper, scissors, paste ...
These were purchased, and more.
We kids had a chore to do
With help from our mothers.
We were making May Baskets
To give out to others.
These weren’t like Easter baskets
With grass and eggs of candy
But just little paper cups
Decorated to look just dandy.
Colored crepe paper was pasted
As neat as we possibly could.
Then handles were made from
String or something just as good.
Last of all they were filled
With peanuts and candy mints.
And maybe little jelly beans
Of various hues and tints.
These weren’t for kids at our school
But for neighbors that we knew.
On May Day we delivered our gift
“Here’s a May Basket for you!”
I didn’t know it’s pagan history
When I was a little kid.
I just knew it was a special day
For something that we did.
jhs