Soon the Ides of March--the 15th--will be here. Originally linked to a Roman fertility festival, its associations with the death of Julius Caesar now predominate, something famously depicted by Shakespeare in his play on that man.

It's also the birthday both of trumpeter Harry James and of evangelist--and musician!--Jimmy Swaggart.

A range of moods and personalities there, and something with political tones.

This year, the Ides is also the date of some important primaries in the U.S.

Here's voting for eventual political harmony and progress in our country!

For "Dancing" poems set on March 15, see "Weeding" and "Coming to Praise."