1
: holy day : a day set aside for special religious observance
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
3
chiefly British : vacation —often used in the phrase on holiday —often used in plural
4
: a period of exemption or relief <corporations enjoying a taxholiday>
Midweek Motif ~
Holy Days and Holidays
What makes a day Holy? Which holy day(s) do you celebrate? How?
Pick one of the four definitions of Holiday above to address in a new poem.
Wikipedia lists more than 50 holidays and events in April!
Inspiration:
TO MY HAGGADAH
Over the years your staples have slipped
and pages loosened. Here a faded purple crescent
of ancient wine, there a smudge
from bricks of date paste.
But when you speak I swoon. Tell me again
how we were slaves to a Pharaoh in Egypt
but the Holy One brought us out from there
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
Sing to me of unleavened bread, of parsley
dipped in bitter tears. Remind me
if I wait until I feel fully ready
I might never leap at all. Waltz me giddy
through psalms of praise. Promise me
next year a world redeemed.
by Rachel Barenblatt of Velveteen Rabbi, used with permission
~~~
“To me, everyday is an observance of a 'holy day' for
'this is the day the Lord has made' and as such
I do not observe high nor 'low' Holy days."
― R. Alan Woods [2013]
― R. Alan Woods [2013]
Please:
1. Post your holy/holiday poem on your site, and then link it here.
2. Share only original and new work written for this challenge.
3. Leave a comment here.
4. Honor our community by visiting and commenting on others' poems.
(Next week's Motif ~ Science)
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Greetings, Poets. What a great topic for the week, Susan! Happy Easter, Happy Passover to all who are celebrating this week.
BalasPadamThank you Mary! I'm heading out the door for some magnificent physical therapy, and looking forward to the poetry I'll read when I get back here. So far it has brought smiles, much appreciated. But I'm ready to travel anywhere poets take me on this motif. Love!
BalasPadamWonderful prompt... I hope everyone enjoys this weekend.
BalasPadamYou too, Laurie. May you see its beauty as well as its absences.
PadamYour prompts are hard work, dear Susan, but I adore them.
BalasPadamThank you, Jo-hanna. I love how you immerse yourself and give us the gift of your poetry.
PadamMany thanks for the prompt. I've throughly enjoyed writing on it.
BalasPadamKuheli S? Your haiku are marvelous, freeing.
PadamGood morning may you be well, happy, and peaceful.
BalasPadamZQ
And you, dear poet.
Padamthanks for the wonderful prompt Susan....i did a 3 in 1 and linked it up..
BalasPadamWhat a combination! Thank you Sumana. Happy holidays.
PadamHappy Wednesday, poets! I am still (very much) under the weather, which is impacting my energy for writing. But this prompt took me back to my teens in small-town Kelowna, and Easter Sunday.
BalasPadamLove it! I fixed the link. Let these memories warm you and restore you.
PadamI really enjoyed this prompt, though I fear I might have veered/ranted slightly off topic. *blushing* Will now go see what amazing pieces everyone else has offered up.
BalasPadamOff target? You are in the very center of it! Whether you celebrate holidays or holy days, have a great week.
PadamHello everybody ! Great prompt Susan, especially for me as I'm just back from a long holiday . Enjoyed a lot and feeling wonderful to write for this prompt .
BalasPadamWelcome back, Maniparna.
PadamHi, all. And thanks, Susan, for the treat prompt and alerting me to this site!
BalasPadamAnd thank you for checking us out. We do a motif on Wednesdays, an open posting on Sundays, and in between we post interviews and favorite poems new and old. I hope you enjoy what you read here and find your way back!
PadamHappy holidays, all!
BalasPadamMine is up at: http://purplepeninportland.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/on-holiday/
Bravo!
PadamGood to see you Loredana. You are back in full poetic power.
BalasPadamthere is a difference between a 'Holy Day' and a holiday, i think :-P
BalasPadamI agree, though I think we can choose to combine them.
PadamBeautiful choice of poem!
BalasPadamThank you, Ms. Rosemary!
PadamThank you all for mixing it up and creating quite a Blog full of holiday, Holy Day, deep thought and great fun. Bless you. I'm moving on, so post the rest in tomorrow's pantry. See you there!
BalasPadamPoets Unite!