Summer Solstice For the Slave

In ancient Greece the summer solstice is
		the first day of the year. For slaves like me,
		it is the time we long for. This one day
		our masters serve US. Briefly we are free

		to eat the luscious food and sip the wine,
		then take part in the merriment with those
		who own us--as their equals. Memories
		of this grand time will come to mind when woes

		of daily living plague us. The great god
		we celebrate is Cronus. This day no
		expense is spared for these festivities.
		We slaves must then return to status-quo.

		One month from then, Olympic games begin.
		Free men display their skills and win great laud
		while those like me, in bonds of servitude,
		toil endlessly--yet no one does applaud.	


June 11, 2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Nau Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 4:14 PM
Excellent! Enjoyed the research you did here and the information you passed on. Love the comparison to Greek & modern times, love the vocabulary! Nice maths in breaking up the rhyme. NICE ONE!
Canerdy Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 9:46 AM
Reading a comment like this is a real TREAT! Thank you so much, Edlynn. Janice
Johnson Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 10:53 AM
This is a great writing, Janice. Informative and well written. Good luck in contest. Love, Joyce
Canerdy Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Thank you so much, Joyce. I've learned about more than poetry styles/forms since I joined. Some prompts have led to interesting research. Janice
Haight Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 7:13 AM
A great Solstice poem, Janice, and much to learn about this ancient Greek celebration that honored slaves. I like that you wrote it in first-person from the slave's point of view. Best wishes for the contest. 7 Hugs, Sandra
Haight Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 11:52 AM
Yes, I thought it was a first-person narrative poem because the slave is doing the talking..."For slaves like me..." "We slaves must then return..."
Canerdy Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 9:17 AM
Sandra, thank you so much for these kind words! Isn't use of "me" part of a first-person narrative? Janice
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