A Day of Rest - Sept 30 2023

 

A Day of Rest

Sept 30 2023

Our ancestors

   —   puritanical, repressed, conformist   —

had a common day of rest,

kept the Sabbath

honoured its sanctity.

When corner stores went dark

and even street cars didn't run.

But we are modern, progressive, impatient

and need no such coddling;

jealous of our freedom,

we love shopping,

consecrate work.

I regret this permissiveness,

the atomizing force

that scatters us

in every direction,

confines each one

to a hall of mirrors

lit from within,

gaze fixed

on our personal reflection.

If only we could take time

pause

put off

for 24 hours,

and do it all together.

Resurrect the Sabbath

and keep it faithfully;

if not a holy day, then secular,

and by whatever name

fits best.

No preachers or prayers

guilt or shame.

Just a day of rest,

In which to collect ourselves

reflect

decompress.

The internet off

and no shops to tempt us;

no watching the clock

or fear of missing out.