May Day

International Day 1 Minute 
      Today there will  be music 
      in many countries
      and some Australian cities 
                                            
     but May Day is not celebrated at all 
      in Adelaide where I moved to.  
     I’m nostalgic as in France it was always 
      a public holiday for Labour Day.


        On my way home I would be welcome 
        by the most subtle of spring scents,
        the lily of the valley with white radiant 
        translucent bell shapes resting
        on bright green stems.
        On the First of May anyone
                                                                                           
                     giving  you a sprig of lily of the valley
                     would wish you good luck.
                     I’ll miss the scent and singing  for workers.

Published by Yayi-Australie

I am a French-born Australian linguist who loves writing about multicultural experiences. Taught English in Zambia and Papua New Guinea, gained a Doctorate with UPNG. In Western Australia I worked with migrants and Indigenous communities in Kalgoorlie and Roebourne. In charge of Amnesty International WA, then moved to Adelaide. Short-listed by The Human Rights Commission for the Literature NF Award for the anthology I edited with the Multicultural Writers Association of Australia, I later published my memoir. Volunteered with the Writers Centre, became active with PEN.

Published