Half a Holiday

Streets in New York City seem
Unusually quiet.
Business isn’t typical – 
You really can’t deny it.

Traffic’s very light;
Though stores are open, schools are not.
Half a holiday is what
It seems that we have got.

Though the market’s selling stocks,
You can’t buy any stamps.
Check your bank before you go - 
They’ve split into two camps.

Workers either celebrate
A day to stay in bed
Or for the other half,
An average day of work instead.

New Years and Thanksgiving
And some others, we’ve agreed
Are days for all to celebrate,
And that’s been guaranteed.

Columbus Day is not the same,
For many folks on staff
Are stuck without a holiday
Or rather, just a half.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Collins Avatar
October 12, 2012 at 10:05 AM
can't understand the double standard. Only you can turn this observation into one of your unique poems. Write on.
Horsman Avatar
October 9, 2012 at 8:11 AM
Half a holiday, ilene this is really interesting, it is almost, tradition and pride versus profit and business, i remember in New Zealand, how a holiday always fell on a monday regardless what ever the date, but soon business fought for and won, if holiday fell on the weekend, no holiday for the worker...
Dietrich Avatar
October 8, 2012 at 2:31 PM
so that is Columbus day in New York? I had no idea!! things are same o same o, around here!! Nice one!
Andresen Avatar
October 8, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Have a nice "half holiday" Ilene - A good poem about everyday life. - oxox love Anne-Lise :)
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