2.13.2026 – sometimes need to walk

sometimes need to walk
under a ladder but what
about the bad luck

Lord knows you can’t avoid it sometimes,
you need to walk under a ladder —

but what about the bad luck?
Try this, if you have faith: They say

spit on your shoes and let the spit dry
and you are safe to walk on through.

I believe it. Sort of.
Do you?

Ladder by Janet S. Wong as published in the book, Knock on wood : poems about superstitions written by Janet S. Wong; illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Margaret K. McElderry Books, New York, 2003).

Something for Friday the 13th.

Wikipedia says:

Any month that starts on a Sunday contains a Friday the 13th, and there is at least one Friday the 13th in every calendar year.

There can be no more than three Friday the 13ths in a single calendar year; either in February, March, and November in a common year starting on Thursday (such as 2015 or 2026), or January, April, and July in a leap year starting on Sunday (such as 2012 or 2040)

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17–21 million people in the United States are affected by Paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th), making it the most feared day and date in history. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. It has been estimated that US$ 800–900 million is lost in business on this day. Despite this, representatives for both Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines (the latter now merged into United Airlines) have stated that their airlines do not suffer from any noticeable drop in travel on those Fridays.