.
Today, I will work. Then I will gather together bright ribbons.
I will go out to the plaza in a vibrant, art-filled, violence-torn town and fashion a May Pole for workers, for anarchists, for the homeless, for students, for socialists, and for those who care for justice. These are my people.
Together, we shall dance.
Today, as a Pagan, I celebrate Beltane – a festival of cleansing, creativity, burgeoning, and the joyous renewal of sex. This is a happy day, a gorgeous day. I honor the season, the strengthening sun, and the ancestors who danced to wake the fields.
Today, as an Anarcho-Socialist, I celebrate May Day – a festival of choosing autonomy, of choosing justice, of choosing to support those who work hard each day, rather than supporting those who rule the land through use of cash. I honor my working class family. I honor my activist friends.
Bonfires will be lit today. Marches will be marched. May Poles will be danced today. Workers will ask for equity, for justice, for a living wage and a good life shared by all.
Today, all over the world, people will march for immigrant rights, for a livable wage, and to commemorate the Haymarket Protests, and the Pullman Strike.
Today, I will honor Dorothy Day who founded the Catholic Worker on May Day 80 years ago.
Today, I will honor Cora Anderson, who died in that liminal space between Walpurgisnacht and May Day, 8 years ago.
These two great women, one whom I knew, and one whom I did not, both taught me many things.
Today, I will fashion a May Pole – tying ribbons to a flag pole in a plaza before a march to raise the minimum wage. Today, I will ask the people of the plaza to join the dance.
May your day be blessed. May justice rise. May we sing together, the traditional song of May:
Happy International Have Sex With a Worker Day*. I hope it is a good one. Bread and roses, everyone. Bread and roses.
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This has long been my name for this day. Beltane + May Day = International Have Sex With a Worker Day