More clouds than sun this month of May in New England, and cold, suddenly cold again this week after a summery Memorial Day weekend. Now, I realize as I walk in the green moist woods and the cloud covered meadow, May is coming to a close and June will begin. My youngest came home after a few days away, and she is looking hard for apartments to set up her life independently. I see how happy, how enthusiastic, how excited she is, and I am happy for her too. And I am also letting this shift settle in my own mind and heart, a passage. A stage of life ending. Another new beginning for me, as well as for her.

THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY

Wendy Cope

‘O! the month of May, the merry month of May’ – Thomas Dekker

The month of May, the merry month of May,

So long awaited, and so quickly past.

The winter’s over, and it’s time to play.

I saw a hundred shades of green today
And everything that Man made was outclassed.
The month of May, the merry month of May.

Now hello pink and white and farewell grey.
My spirits are no longer overcast.
The winter’s over, and it’s time to play.

Sing ‘Fa la la la la,’ I dare to say,
(Tried being modern but it didn’t last)
‘The month of May, the merry month of May.’

I don’t know how much longer I can stay.
The summers come, the summers go so fast,
And soon there will be no more time to play.

So carpe diem, gather buds, make hay.
The world is glorious. Compare, contrast
December with the merry month of May.
Now is the time, now is the time to play.