Vanya Evangeline Poet Limerick

Notes About The Poem

The month of August was previously known as Sextilis (which meant the sixth month, carried over from when the calendar only had ten months). It became the eighth month when January and February were added before March, and was later renamed Augustus in honour of Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. The previous month, Quintilis, was renamed July to honour Augustus's predecessor, Julius Caesar.

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Ode to August

When I was younger, I have often wondered
Why is the eighth month not called October?
Was geometry wrong 
When it named the octagon,
Or was this a mistake wrought by the calendar?

'Augustus' seemed such an ugly name too
It sounded like someone who has the flu
Plus, I've always had this pet
From a childish pang of regret
That my birthstone's colour wasn't blue

Oh, would it be that I was born a month late
To be a ‘child of autumn’ seemed so great
Instead, it's been quite a bummer
To have birthdays in hot summer
Though I suppose Mom and Dad just couldn't wait!

But, in recent years, I've changed my tune
About being born on the eighth moon
 For there is so much fame
Behind this august name
My date of birth is now to me a welcome boon

For while the man whose name this month honours
Might not possess July's fame and splendour
He satisfied the Romans' wish 
To implement an age of peace
And so the legacy of his reign is forever revered 

The strength he lacked he made up in understanding:
Roman men saw repugnant the title of "king"
So he knew to bide his time
And rose the ranks in slow inclines
To not repeat his predecessor's death by stabbing!

He knew too well that he could not climb alone
Delegation was key for his path towards the throne 
Dealing right to win the race
A mastermind masked with modest grace
Always walking with one foot set upon the gravestone

I do not believe that stars dictate our destiny
But there is much to learn from their history
By giving August a retrospect
I have grown profound respect
For this bleak yet beautiful, immutable part of me

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Sara Kendrick June 28, 2025 at 3:12 AM Congratulations on your winning work in the contest. Way to go. Sara K Vanya Evangeline June 30, 2025 at 4:42 AM Thank you so much, Sara!