[Newspoetry] End of Summer Rituals

[John Newmark]

End of Summer Rituals

On September Third
Millions of Americans
Will celebrate the End of Summer
By having a barbecue.

Few know where the name
Of this holiday came from.
To most, it seems ironic
Since none but a few work.

Labor Day now means
The changing color of trees,
The start of the school year,
Or just another day off.

Any connection to unions
Or the forbidden word, "Socialism,"
Is obscured by the distance