Celebrate or Else

You can avoid it
Only if no one
Feels threatened by you
Missing their bonfire,
Not at their table.

Governments have been
Known to arrest groups
Of noncelebrants
Who embarrass them,
As have religions

Been known to suspect
Heresy in those
Who don’t celebrate
Along with the rest
Like all of the rest.

Be glad for parties
That don’t require you
Or anyone join
In their holiday.
Secular New Years,

When the main concern
Of the officers
Is to keep the peace
Not enforce the rites,
That one is alright.