Friggatriskaidecka

Friggatriskaidecka
By Doris Ruth Mackey

For most Friday is a wondrous day.
“TGIF,” sigh weary workers.
It marks the end
−though temporary−
To the mundane and laborious.
A chance to revel in two days of freedom.
But once or twice or sometime thrice
A year it falls upon the thirteenth day.
(I blame the Greeks!)
Tris kai decka – three and ten
What is it about this number
That brings such dread?
More than black cats, spilt salt
Or mirrors cracked,
For those who fear this number
It becomes a day of unreasoned terror.
And bears the blame for every mishap
That might occur within its span.