Poem for the Day - 2013

A year well spent

So much achieved

And fast it went

Looking at all perceived

Through dark and dent

It can be said and viewed

2013 must have meant

A year to be remembered

Last Day of the Year

   

This day is usually given as a holiday in many countries in preparation for the New Year. The day is usually spent on reflection, thanksgiving for life and being with family and friends. Parties are held on the eve of New Year to usher in the year. The last day of the year is filled with resolutions that are meant to be fulfilled in the New Year. The day is concluded on the New Years’ Day with music and fireworks.

Poem for the Day - 114

Quantified they did

Without thought

Millions spent

Until there was none

But a hundred and fourteen

Fate determined

Only by owner

And we wait

And wait

Staring at one hundred and fourteen

Health and Sports Day

This national holiday is set aside for sports and developing the mind and body. It usually comes up on the second Monday in October yearly but was initially on the 10^th of October. Children in particular have lots of fun on this day, but not all countries celebrate this day as a national holiday

Poem for the Day - Eight

Countdown to Christmas

Was all he could do

Christmas was the date

When she visited

With a smile

Best gift ever

Presents meant nothing

But the smile

Eight days to the smile

His beloved wore

Just for him at Christmas

Golden Week

Golden Week is a seven-day national holiday in China and Japan. The holiday was started by the government and is intended to help expand the domestic tourism  market and improve the national standard of living, as well as allowing people to make long-distance family visits. The Golden Weeks are periods of travel among many.

Poem for the Day - Forty

It was all she had

Forty days to live

Now here she was

Reaching out to a million

She’d offended in her life

Couldn’t cover them all

And wished she had forty years

Life so short

Days so minute

But forty was still many

And try she could

To amend it all

Mawlid Al Rasul

Mawlid is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad which occurs in the third month of the Islamic Calendar. Mawlid is a term used for birthday celebrations in places like Egypt, particularly for Saints.

This day is usually used as a day of reflection for Muslims and gratefulness for the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Poem for the Day - Sixty Six

At his life he looked

So old to care

Christmas was out

Gone away forever

For at sixty six

He valued not Christmas

For he had been hurt

At Christmas as a child

And this Christmas

Would not be different

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday  commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is observed for eight days and eight nights beginning on the 25th day of Kislev and occurs any time from late November to late December.

The festival is often observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum  which is the nine-branched Menorah  or Hanukiah also with one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night.

Poem for the Day - Forty Five

So many gifts

All numbered

All were but forty five

To give children

Children who wished

Had a home to call home

But soon

They’ll learn to be grateful

For life

And all the gifts

Veterans Day

1

Veterans Day is an official holiday in the United States that honors veterans . It is a Federal holiday  that observes the service of all military men and commemorated on the 11^th of November. Most citizens offer free meals and services to veterans on such days to show their appreciation of what they have done for the country.

Poem for the Day - A Million

All I did want

Was the smile

Which cost a million

For me this Christmas

It was the gift

I yearned for

And the gift

Which I got

National Day

National Days vary from country to country; it is either the date of independence or a significant date for a ruler, which makes some countries have more than one national day. National days are national holidays set aside to celebrate a significant person or purpose. This day is often given various names by various countries.

Poem for the Day - Thirty Nine

Din was single

Din wouldn’t mingle

But Din needed money

Just to buy honey

And some wine

Din had thirty nine

But needed forty

And he was haughty

So he stayed alone

Without anyone to phone

Epiphany

Epiphany means striking appearance or in another way, vision of God, which traditionally falls on the 6^th of January. It is a Christian feast that celebrates the revelation of Jesus as a human being. It is common among few Christians, recognized by many and understood by all; though not a holiday in many Christian countries.

Poem for the Day - Twenty Five

To find love

Was her goal

This Christmas

Would be lovely

No more sitting alone

No more loneliness

At twenty five

Her love she hoped

Would find

All Saints Day

All Saints' Day a solemnity celebrated on the first of November by the Catholic Church , while it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost  in Eastern Catholicism.  This is in honor of all the saints. For Catholics, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. It is a holiday in most countries.

Poem for the Day - Thirteen

Family numbered thirteen

Split into thirteen

No love lost

No hate reckoned

All apart

As they pleased

Never united

Never will be

All in thirteen pieces

Vesak

This is the remembrance of Buddha’s birthday commonly celebrated in Taiwan and Hong Kong and most Asian countries on the 28^th of April. It is a significant holiday as it commemorates the peace to mankind.

Vesak focuses on the birth of Buddha, the eight precepts and the enlightenment. This holiday is a very solemn one for Buddhists who focus on giving to charity, meditation as well as partaking in vegetarian foods.

Please contribute if you are a Buddhist so we can learn more about the Vesak Holiday. 

Poem for the Day - Ninety Nine

Tried to stay sober

All times without success

It has been ninety nine

So much with struggle

Addiction can be mean

It can be done

It will be done

National Heroes Day

Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day is the commemoration of national heroes in different countries. It is often held on the birth date of a national hero or the anniversary of their great deeds and works that made them remarkable people. The works and deeds of such a person or people is usually read and accompanied by documentaries for all to remember and appreciate.

Poem for the Day - Nine

Dark scary night

They were nine

Armed and fierce

Never to forget

The scar the nine left

Across my face

Branded for life

Now I fear

A group of nine

Remembrance Day

In Commonwealth countries, Remembrance Day known as Poppy Day is a memorial day observed since the end of  World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. The day is celebrated on the 11^th of November but celebrated on other days by non-Commonwealth countries.

Poem for the Day - 2.5

Years married to him

A shame on my part

Should have known

Was sort of told

Knew a stray he was

But two point five was long

Long enough to grow

Or so I thought

You cannot change a man

Anzac Day

This day celebrates the lives of Australian and New Zealand Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who fell during the fighting at wars. An Ode of Remembrance is often recited as well as march past by veterans. The day is celebrated yearly on the 25^th of April.

Poem for the Day - Six

He was six

When he came to us

So little and frail

Today he weds at six

He remains our boy

All love showered

And still yet

Feel that day he was six

Columbus Day

This day has many names all around the world; Columbus Day in the United States, Discovery Day in the Bahamas, Día de la Raza ("Day of the Race") in Latin America,  Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in  Belize and Uruguay , Día de la Hispanidad and Fiesta Nacional in Spain , Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity) in Argentina . All celebrating one meaning; October 12, 1942, the voyage of Christopher Columbus.

Poem for the Day - Fifty

All he had

Was but fifty

All he gave

Was but fifty

All he sought

Was for fifty

All he made

Was in fifty

Meeting of Cultures Day

This day is also Columbus Day but was changed by Costa Ricans’ as Race Day or Dia de la Raza to celebrate the human race as well as Columbus' voyages. It is usually celebrated on the 12^th of October, broadening the meaning of the celebration to celebrate all cultures. Street fairs, bull fights and carnivals are some of the activities which take place on this day. It is a fun holiday.

Poem for the Day - Eighty

Appearing same time

Always at eighty km per hour

Like a lightning bolt

Scaring me off

Vowing never to drive

And been driven

At eighty km per hour

She appears again

How she scares me

And my fear for eighty

Thanksgiving Day

The fourth Thursday of the month of November is usually set aside by Western countries to give Thanks for the entire year. This thanksgiving is mostly done in November worldwide and on Sundays by Christians of other nations.

Thanksgiving ceremony is accompanied with turkey, sweets, large meals and drinks. It is a reflective ceremony to be grateful to God for a fruitful year. The needy, homeless and orphanages are not left out since many families visit to give gifts.

Poem for the Day - One

In a world of self

Is one

All that matters

Is one

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is only celebrated in United States. It is a day set aside to commemorate the loss of soldiers during the civil war.Many people show their grief by visiting cemeteries, burning candles and reflecting on those they have lost. The American flag is usually placed on each grave; the day is usually marked on the last Monday of May every year. 

Poem for the Day - Eighteen

If Pini never turned eighteen

She would still be

If Pini never turned eighteen

She would still smile

If Pini never turned eighteen

She would never drive

If Pini never turned eighteen

She would never had been hit

If Pini never turned eighteen

She would still visit us

But Pini had to turn eighteen

So she could leave us

Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Eid al-Adha is also called Feast of the Sacrifice. It symbolizes the acceptance of Abraham called Ibrahim in Islam to sacrifice his young first son Ishmael called Ismail in Islam. The holiday teaches obedience to God, submission to God’s will and God’s test of human faith. Eid al-Adha is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims yearly all over the world.

Poem for the Day - Forty nine

How I long to see

That face of yours

Began as days

Then went to months

Now forty nine years

My neck as stretched

To see you

If I can but recognize you

Would wipe the hate of all those years

Ramadan

This is a holiday observed by Muslims all over the world. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. The month of Ramadan is attributed with fasting that lasts between 29 and 30 days. It is a month of reflection for Muslims who abstain from sin and engage in giving to all. The month of Ramadan is a Holy month and ended with a feast to celebrate the completion of the fast.

Poem for the Day - Hundred

Promised to make a hundred

Even in age

Our love stayed strong

We survived the storm

Even at hundred

We stayed tight

Not the age

But the faith

That led us

To a hundred

Children’s Day

Children’s Day is a day set aside for children between the ages of zero and eighteen; school age children. This is to celebrate having them around and appreciate them by giving them a school free day as well as parties and parade.

Poem for the Day - 10.05

The time had come

The time we longed to see

And meant so little to some

But where would we be?

If the time never came

Our fate would be known soon

The time was here

Diwali

Diwali is a celebration for Hindus; usually celebrated by Hindus. Diwali is a festival of lights, regarded as the most important festival of the year. Diwali is celebrated among families in their homes. Sweets and presents are commonly shared among loved ones.

Diwali is an official holiday in countries like India, Fiji, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal and a few others.

Poem for the Day - Eleven

A team they were

Only to arrive

And replacements were made

Hate filled the air

But the arrival meant progress

The team all quit

And I alone stood

To serve the role of eleven

Independence Day

Most countries colonized by one country or the other celebrate Independence Day. It varies from one country to the other and is declared a holiday for the inhabitants of the country. Independence Day is often observed with the Presidential Speech, a March by the Army and a work free day for citizens and inhabitants of that country.

Poem for the Day - Four

Bringing in harmony

Celebrating our love

We four came together

Sharing tales of love

Then a wink from the other

Oh my imagination

From too much wine

And then a kiss my way

Not from my love

From the pervert across

How I hate company now

Deceit in marriage

And my friend knows nothing

My own love in the darkness of naivety

The number four my foe

Easter Monday

The Monday after Easter Sunday is often declared a holiday in some countries. This holiday is used by many to visit friends and relatives, exchange food, drinks and snacks. Outdoor activities are often employed on Easter Monday such as swimming, volleyball, surfing and mountaineering.

Easter Monday is the last day of the Easter Holidays which began on the previous Friday, termed ‘Good Friday’.

Poem for the Day - Seven

They called it perfect

I called it unique

They called it complete

I called it decided

They called it supernatural

I called it merely good

No number could stand

Like the number seven

Christmas Eve

The day before Christmas is Christmas Eve, where few countries like the United States make it a holiday to allow people travel home for Christmas as well as provide time for shoppers to buy their gifts. It is a good holiday because it gives time to make the last-minute rush.

The beauty of Christmas Eve are the lights, colors, rush and excitement. If you have not tried it before, do it and share with us.

RIP Nelson Mandela

Poem for the Day - Three

A crowd they say is three

More of a company is three

Three is neutral and decisive

Often secluded

Views matter like news

Three decides on its own

Boxing Day

The day after Christmas; serving as family time and get away for friends and lovers, boxing day is the last day of the Christmas holidays. Mostly a public holiday for many countries, it signifies the day of giving and receiving Christmas gifts. It is usually celebrated on the 26th of December every year.

Poem for the Day - Twelve

A dozen

The disciples

The calendar months

The tribes of Israel

The lamps in revelation

Very historical is twelve

Without a rival

Christmas Day

The twenty fifth of December is always declared a public holiday worldwide but with the exception of a few countries. Some countries like Georgia in Eastern Europe celebrate their Christmas in January unlike others who have different dates from the most popular December twenty five. 

Poem for the Day - Ten

We could have had more

But were robbed of ten

Those ten were like lives

We toiled to have them

And now we had none

Easter

Easter day is usually on a Sunday. It is a yearly celebration that usually falls between March and April. Easter is celebrated by Christians worldwide; the remembrance of Christ‘s resurrection.  Easter has recently been attributed with chocolate candy in the form of eggs called Easter eggs; Easter bunnies and Easter Cake and treats.

Easter is a holiday declared in many countries with the significance of sharing and giving during this season.

Poem for the Day - Five

Days I had to work

I counted them through

Weekends had no number

They were precious like stone

If I could change things

Weekends would be five

Good Friday

Good Friday is the beginning of the celebration of the Easter Ceremony. It is often observed by Christians all over the world. Good Friday symbolizes the remembrance of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This day is commemorated by worship in churches and solemn singing of hymns.

Good Friday is declared a public holiday in most parts of the world like United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana and many others. The day is often set aside for Christians to reflect on the meaning and purpose of the day.

Poem for the Day - Two

Coupled up

Never to break apart

How perfect

How unique

Like the first created

No disturbance

Only absorbance of each other

How I adore two

May Day

May Day is also known as worker’s day; a day set aside for all working people to observe and rest. Not all countries observe this day. Countries mostly colonized by Britain celebrate May Day as well as Britain.

Workers use this day to reflect and rest; while others picnic, swim and spend quality time with their families. It is observed on the first of May, while other countries have their own dates different from this.

Poem for the Day - Zero

Oh how I wish I knew

It was too late

I thought he was a hero

But he proves to be a zero

Oh what have I done?

A punishment I have created

I shoulder it all

He sleeps his life away

Oh what a shame

Too ashamed to tell anyone

But I alone must carry

This zero along in life

New Year’s Day

1.     Celebrated by everyone in the world at different times but all at twelve midnight. New Year’s Day is the first day of a new year that comes after the thirty first of December. The celebration is often accompanied with fireworks, lights, music and feasting.

New Year’s Day is often used as a day to make new resolutions of how they want the year to turn out; how to become a better person and change their lives.

Welcome to December

Happy New Month Readers!!! It's the last month of the year and we'll be reading and talking about holidays and numbers.
Have a blast folks and there are still openings for guest bloggers. Send them to gnonoamor@gmail.com