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The Ides of March

Every culture has its special calendar days of note
We have Easter and Christmas, and the day we vote,
The Romans marked their calendar for the 74th day
Festivals and gatherings made it a special holiday
It was known as the deadline for settling up debts
And, historically, it became a day of Roman regret
On March 15 [on our calendar], Julius Caesar was killed
And, as a result, Rome ceased her empire to build.
It was a critical turning point in ancient Roman history
Much surrounding the event, to this day, is a mystery. 

[The Ides of March]

Written March 30, 2022
for "This or That, Vol 11" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Edward Ibeh

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/31/2022 12:35:00 PM My husband and I talk about the Ides of March constantly. My father's birthday was the Ides of March, and I have four close women friends whose fathers were also all born on the Ides of March - every one a different year! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/31/2022 1:19:00 PM Interesting coincidence, methinks.

Tom Cunningham Date: 3/31/2022 11:03:00 AM After he was assassinated the empire crumbled, let's hope history repeats itself in the Kremlin. We live in hope. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/31/2022 12:30:00 PM Yes, we do, Tom. I don't think the Russia we know is like the Roman Empire, but it may be just as tottery. Time will tell.

Gershon Wolf Date: 3/30/2022 5:41:00 PM One thing for sure: Brutus wasn't such an 'honorable man!' ~ Antony Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/30/2022 7:39:00 PM I'd say he wasn't, gw. He sure got his name in the ages!

Jeff Kyser Date: 3/30/2022 1:02:00 PM Nice! I was reading some of that information earlier myself, when my goat muse so rudely barged in... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/30/2022 1:06:00 PM I have no idea what Edward is looking for, so I just wrote a blurb about what "The Ides of March" means. I merely arranged the things I read in couplet form. I wrote three rather fine poems this morning (I think!) that I'm sort of proud of.