HAPPY LEI DAY

Today we went out
to the plumeria tree
to pick some flowers
for mommy and me.

We threaded them all
in a fragrant chain.
We did it once
then again and again.

White and pink,
and rainbow too.
Again and again
until we were through.

We strung the flowers
into a round lei,
to celebrate for
this Lei Day.

 What do you do to celebrate May Day?  Do you give flowers to your friends?  Do you make paper flowers?  Today's challenge is to write a poem about your favorite flower.  I hope you have a happy Lei Day (our 90th) and that you have fun writing poetry.

He lei poina ‘ole ke keiki.
A lei never forgotten is the beloved child. (a Hawaiian proverb)

  Have you ever thought about how dull life would be without flowers?  What would the bees do?  We'd have no honey.  I'm so glad we have flowers and showers to help them grow. 

HAPPY MAY DAY

Gather some flowers
on the 1st of May.
Make them into
a pretty bouquet.

Knock at your neighbor's
then run away.
As you're going
be sure to say
HAPPY MAY DAY.

   In Hawaii, May Day is celebrated as Lei Day. 

Happy May Day
Happy Lei Day
Here's what I'll do,
I'll gather flowers
to make a lei
for you.

And if you make
one for me too,
then we can exchange
a friendship true.

  Each year on Lei Day the Kauai Museum has a lei competition.  My husband and I went and saw over 50 beautiful leis. 

The top lei is made with bougainvillea and fern, the bottom one gets it's teal color from jade plant.

Aren't these beautiful?

The middle lei included rose buds.

These leis were entered in the purple/blue category.

Leis in the white category.

There were leis for your hat.

Of course there was hula dancing to celebrate the holiday.
And,

singing and ukulele playing.  It was a wonderful day.  I hope you have a great Lei Day.

   Can you write a poem about your favorite flower today?

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may... Robert Herrick

Lei Day

May Day
is Lei Day
a chance 
to say
Aloha
in a special way.

Make a lei
a chain of flowers
to drape 
on this day
around
the neck
of someone
you know.

Bring the spirit
of love
and Aloha
to those
who need a lift.

Bring the smell
of Hawaiian islands
to those
who need a break
from their stress.

Aloha,
Happy Lei Day.


    Yes, I know this is coming to you on May 2 and Lei Day is May 1, but as my Island friends tell me, it is never a bad day to receive the gift of a lei.  So maybe I'm early for next year.  Your challenge for today is to write a poem from the viewpoint of your favorite flower.  What is its life like?  How does it feel about the other flowers, the birds, cats or dogs?  Have fun.  I think I'm going to try drawing a lei.