Holiday

Holiday

I am so sick of the word “Holiday”!

In our bid to be unbiased,
we have scratched individual rights.
We have turned our backs
on the very things
that make us who we are.

I am not offended by Chanukah,
or Kwanzaa, or Ashura.
Muslim and Chinese New Year
are wonderful celebrations!
I am glad to see these traditions as well.

What offends me is scrubbing,
removing the reasons
behind our festivities.

We have sterilized our world,
and have forgotten the messages
these celebrations bring.
We have lost the lessons
our ancestors fought hard to preserve.

Where is the faith in “holiday”?
Where is the joy and peace?
Where are the glad tidings,
the thought of fellow man?

“Holiday” is about cardboard,
Christmas about peace.
“Holiday” is about shopping,
Chanukah about perseverance.
“Holiday” is about selfishness,
Kwanzaa about simple gifts.
“Holiday” is a cult of individuality,
Ashura is a day of shared struggle.

“Holiday” is plastic.
Are we plastic too?