The May Day Festival

By Lia Grippo

On the nearest Saturday to May 1st, we gather as a community to put an old tree into the ground. Brilliant ribbons tied to its top make a shelter of sorts, like a large colorful tent. The outer boundary held by parents and loving adults, the small children gather within, bedecked in flowers and spring colors.  There they dance, well, walk or skip, in a circle.  Some are joyful, some bewildered, some concerned at being there without a parent’s hand to hold. 
They circle, at the center of the community, wrapping the aged wood in the beauty of spring and the promise of summer. There, at the center, new life.  And we, at the edge watching over it.

Once the children have finished their dancing, the adults step in, holding our ribbons like we would a partner’s hand. The music starts again, and out of the rhythm grows movement.  Some traveling sunwise, others moonwise, we begin to weave together a pattern.  We laugh as we go, for no reason other than because it is fun!!!!  The children watch. They see the adults of their communities, move in unity, joyfully, playfully, again and again, and they know they are a part of something.