XIII

XIII

thirteen has a unique reputation

there is history, mystery and manipulation

yet for me, I adore the chance and change

of fate that this lovely little oddity brings...

once long ago, with a longing and a lump -

in his pocket, and one in his throat,

knowing yet hoping just the same, the answer

to the question he proposed...

makes the date of the day for us, joyous.

every time and any time it falls upon the calendar -

but then we have our own unique reputation,

binding history, giggles of mystery without hesitation

and today is extra special being so close

to our actual wedding anniversary -

where vows were shared when we said;

‘Yes’ to each other - so romantically

those misfortunes that occur are just superstition

believe in good luck and take back this prime number

bakers have used it to protect themselves - though some

buildings refuse to use such a numbered floor for living...

originally there were thirteen sun signs - when

astrology was an accepted practice...

thirteen was a favorite number of a grandmother -

a birthday of more than one relative however relative

so to those who may fumble, stumble and moan please

give true credit where it is, however unlikely due - to you

©JP/davh

Note:

A baker's dozen, devil's dozen, long dozen, or long measure is 13, one more than a standard dozen. The oldest known source for the expression "baker's dozen" dates to the 13th century in one of the earliest English statutes, instituted during the reign of Henry III (1216–72), called the Assize of Bread and Ale. Bakers who were found to have shortchanged customers (some variations say that they would sell hollow bread) could be subject to severe punishment includingjudicial amputation of a hand. To guard against losing a hand to an axe, a baker would give 13 for the price of 12 in order to be certain of not being known as a cheat. Specifically, the practice of baking 13 items for an intended dozen was insurance against "short measure", on the basis that one of the 13 could be lost, eaten, burnt, or ruined in some way, leaving the baker with the original legal dozen. The practice can be seen in the guild codes of the Worshipful Company of Bakers in London.