Beware the "Ides of April"?--a poem

"March, July, October, May
The Nones are on the seventh day"

Anon. (Roman?)


Beware the Ides of April?

The fifteenth day of April,
Is not like March's "ides".
It's from the Roman Calendar,
Once used both far and wide.

"Beware the Ides of March!",
Warned Caesar of demise.
It's said he got his months mixed up,
Confusion proved unwise.

Rome ruled most all the ancient world.
Taught Latin, math, and such.
Yet counted dates most cumbersome,
Which proved to be to much!

The "kalends" fell upon the first,
The "nones" most on the fifth,
The "ides" fell eight days later,
Except the "nones" would shift!

In March, July, October, May,
The "nones" for some good reason,
Would fall upon the seventh day,
No matter what the season!

Eight days in March beyond the "nones",
Was "ides" to ancient Rome.
The fifteenth was the date to fear,
When Caesar left his home.

In April when the "nones" appeared,
Twas five days past day ones,
And "ides" fell on the thirteenth day,
Eight days beyond the "nones".

Well, I'm asea, perhaps it's so,
That Caesar was confused.
Forgot the little poem that kept,
The "nones" prop-er-ly used.

Mark Worden
April 15, 2005