April Fish
Back in the 1500s in France when Charles was king
New Year’s was celebrated at the start of Spring
Charles decreed that the calendar, which had been the Julian
Should become Gregorian and he really wasn’t foolin’
But there were those in Europe who continued to celebrate
On the 1st of April – which was no longer the right date.
So they were teased by others and were called “April Fools”
Because they were not playing by the newly established rules
In France, the fools were called “Poissons d’Avril” for a reason
They could be easily “caught” like the young fish of the season
It is also the Lenten period when people eat fish and fast
And in the signs of the winter zodiac, Pisces is the last
So in France on April 1st, if a joke’s been played on you
Here is my suggestion as to just what you should do.
If someone says “Poisson d’Avril” then runs like a March hare
Check your back to see if you’ve been given a fish to wear..!
My Last Word
In the 1960s I taught in France, and I experienced having been taken in by an April Fool’s prank – I took the bait – I “bit” and since I had “mordu” I found a “fish” stuck on my back…! Heureusement, plus souvent on m’a donne des poissons au chocolat …!
Dr. Hoult, poetess laureate of Culver City, may be contacted at HOULTight@aol.com
