One Day

When to love and celebrate?

In ancient times was born a day

For festival and joyful feast

Where all would gather eagerly

To pour the wine and roast the beast

And at first these new days

Gave the people needed rest

Gave them pause from toil and worry

Made them feel that they were blessed

But over years and under Eons

New days contrived were added on

Days to worship fellow men

Or worship season, moon and sun

And soon this list of special days

Got beyond all real control

And came to be under compulsion

And so began to take their toll

And we forgot the origins

The purpose and the why

And we embroiled with heavy hearts

With cost and groan and sigh

A day for Christ born and dead

On a day he did not choose

To self-indulge with merriment

And Christianity re-use

But soon became the bearded saint

And jolly man of snow

Or chocolate feast and bunny hop

And mystic mistletoe

A day for thanks, a day for dads

A day for Saints and ghouls

And one for lovers and for mothers

And even one for fools

Remembering bloody victory

Or the start of a new year

A day to gorge and one to fast

For fireworks and fear

And a day for every one of us

So we are worshipped too

To make us feel loved just once a year

Cause once will have to do

And then the days become the law

And choice is left undone

Compelled to celebrate each time

Or risk us being shunned

For who can deny a chocolate egg

for child or lover sweet?

Or deny a mother's floral gift

Or children's spooky treat?

Who would dare to question these

And stop from living lies?

Who will defy these decrees

And in the face of pressure fly?

For we comply, against our will

While we incur the debt

Though the birthday boy be a loathsome lad

For one day he is the best

And children challenge strangers

For sugar under threat

And mum is glorified one day

Then daily we forget

For if we are forced to love one day

When and how and who

How less likely all year round

Do we tell them “I love you”?

And among these obligation days

One was left behind

A day given long ago

But one to which we're blind

Remember that day of rest that was

When families were one

And the world would stop and contemplate

And gather in the sun

No more days like that for us

The world has gone beyond

Past love and truth and God above

To whom we once belonged

And so I choose to have a day

Where no-one is adored

Where no purchase is required

One which we can afford

Where the corporates do not dictate

And sell plastic love to us

And the measure of our affection

Is not how much it cost

And give no name, nor choose a date

But fellowship hold dear

And warmly tend to love and friend

On all days of the year