May Day

Ne'er speak the names of the fairie folk who bide 'neath the hawthorn tree

For fear their benevolent ways may turn and their mischief be focused on thee

Just walk-on-by midst the heady scent

of the honeyed-almond blooms

Enjoy the first day of a brand new May

Pay no heed to the fae-folks' green-rooms

Dance the 'sun-up' at dawn, on a brand-new morn'

Gather branches of green, and wildflowers

Hang the thorn tree with rushlights, with ribbons and shells

And assemble the bonfire towers

A procession to follow, to crown a May Queen

With a Maypole and feastings of quail

Jack-in-Green with a flautist and fiddler at heel

Heeds the dairymaid's' flower-filled pail

Leave a basket of treats on your neighbours front step

Hearts of roses, or rice, for a lover

Tempt your sweetheart to kiss 'neath the apple or cherry

So they'll never dare leave for another

Drive out spirits with incense on Juniper mist

In a night-time of Licensious spree

Church bells ring, bang the pots, crack the whip, raise the roof

Seven times round the house sets you free

Go wash your face in the morning dew

and drink spring-water on stomach empty

Make the cow jump a fire, collect pennies for may-dolls,

Drink fresh-brewed iced mugwort a-plenty

Carry bundles of wheat to Floralia's shrine

Loose a goat, free a hare to the wild

Douse the fire then re-light from the Beltaine Bonfires

To invite a new year undefiled

No, don't speak the names of the fairie folk

Let them be, in their gentle trees

Be content with the butterflies dancing on teasel

And the dandelion clocks taking flight on the breeze