The Maypole Dance - A Mikeydred May Dollar Prompt For All Vocal Creators

Introduction

This may be my last challenge. Every month, we have set prompts in the Vocal Social Society. We offer a dollar tip to five random creators who take part and ask them to share their stories in the comments and on the thread in the group.

This is not official, and usually after each one, I say that's it, and this time I think people have had enough of me.

So What's Gonna Happen This Time?

Please write a poem or story related to this month of May, Maypole folklore or any dance.

Here are a few May days which may inspire you:

• May 1: International Workers' Day: In many countries, May 1 is a public holiday celebrating the labor movement and worker solidarity, stemming from the struggle for an 8-hour workday.
• May 1: Traditional Spring Festivities: Historically, it marks the start of summer with customs like gathering flowers, dancing, and Morris dancing.
• May 1: Origins: The day has roots in the Roman festival of Floralia and the Celtic Beltane festival, which celebrated fertility and the changing of the seasons.
• May 1: "Obby Oss": A famous, ancient, and still active celebration in Padstow, Cornwall, involving a procession with a "hobby horse".
• May 1 is May Day. Mark the return of spring by bringing in branches of forsythia, lilacs, or other flowering shrubs from your region. May Day is also “Lei Day” in Hawaii. Leis are garlands or wreaths that are often made with native Hawaiian flowers such as plumeria. Nowadays, they are given as a symbol of greeting, farewell, affection, celebration, or honor, in the spirit of aloha.
• May 1: School Principals’ Day
• May 2: World Tuna Day
• May 5 is Cinco de Mayo (“The Fifth of May”). This day celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
• May 8: No Socks Day
• May 10 is Mother’s Day—don’t forget! Do you have something planned to show appreciation for your mother?
• May 13 (second Wednesday in May): Root Canal Appreciation Day
• May 14: Dance Like a Chicken Day
• May 16 is Armed Forces Day, which honors those who serve in all branches of the United States military.
• May 18 is Victoria Day in Canada. This holiday celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819. The holiday is observed on the penultimate Monday in May.
• May 22 is National Maritime Day. Created in commemoration of the first transoceanic voyage via steamboat (completed by the U.S.S. Savannah in 1819), this holiday recognizes the efforts of the U.S. merchant marine during both war and peace.
• May 25 is Memorial Day—a poignant reminder of the tenacity of life. It’s tradition to raise the flag on this day; know how to fly your American flag properly.
• May 28: Slugs Return from Capistrano Day

will write a poem or two myself and include them, but that won't be classed as an entry.

I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with, and I know that you are all incredibly creative Vocal talents, so get your pens, paper and keyboards out.

The music is "Ladies of the Woods" & "Child Of The Elder Blood" by Marcin Przybyłowicz and Percival.

Take a listen, it may inspire you.

So SHARE YOUR WORK in the comments here, and/or also on the thread in the Vocal Social Society if you are on Facebook.

Please drop your entry in the comments. Otherwise, I won't see yours when I choose the random winners. Also, please link and mention this piece in your entry. Thanks for that.

On Monday, 1st June 2026. I will award a dollar tip to five random Vocal Creators who have shared their work here.

The Thread in VSS is here:

Here is the last prompt/challenge with the results and the five randomly chosen stories:

These are my examples:

Here are the five random dollar stories: