Shakespeare

For Pagemasters Challenge #11. Inspired by Sonnet LXXVI.

 LXXVI

Why is my verse so barren of new pride,
So far from variation or quick change?
Why with the time do I not glance aside
To new-found methods, and to compounds strange?
Why write I still all one, ever the same,
And keep invention in a noted weed,
That every word doth almost tell my name,
Showing their birth, and where they did proceed?
O! know sweet love I always write of you,
And you and love are still my argument;
So all my best is dressing old words new,
Spending again what is already spent:
For as the sun is daily new and old,
So is my love still telling what is told.

William Shakespeare

 

Often write we the things we know, unshaken,

Those things we see, and dream, and dread.

Sometimes each new work could be mistaken,

For the one before or next to come instead.

And yet from deep and far within our souls,

We strive to share with others what we see.

Our most important dreams, and hopes, and goals.

All the things we want to know, and feel, and be.

To proclaim our joy or cleansing from some sin,

The page, alert to listen, understands.

The words connect to each the one within,

The pen forgiving… impatiently awaits our hand.

So write we must, and yes, we ever shall,

Yielding only when we've bowed our final bow.

 

Author's Note

Thank you all, you are so very generous. When I found this sonnet I knew I had found my inspiration. I had to do a little research on Mr. Shakespeare because I knew little about him. I learned that he was a master in iambic pentameter. I considered trying to duplicate his exact meter but I wanted this piece to be mine. And... I am just not that good. It is Shakespeare for crying out loud : >)
So instead I elected to try to match his rhyme scheme while still creating something of my own.
I have never read Shakespeare before, but I will now. I suspect perhaps that is what this challenge is all about. Skillfully done Jules!

Reviews

[Touché Armada]

I'm bias, because I love Shakespeare, and any and all emulation I think is his greatest honour
especially toward his love of love, and writing.. He was rumoured to be gay, and his dedication to the earl of Southhamton and Baron of Tichfield has been used to argue that. I don't agree though. I was told once, if you wish the peruse a life of literature only ever fall in love with those you can never hold, if you wish to peruse and pursue a life of academia don't fall in love at all.
I believe he might have often done the former. Love and inspiration at all cost, and its so rich and sickly to the stomach at times.

I offer this as a further:
Sonnet #138
When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutor'd youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppress'd.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:

Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flatter'd be.

[J.P. Bristow]

wonderful!!!!!...please post to group so I can feature this!!!!

[SilentDream]

Ars Poetica at its best :)
Complements the inspiration piece quite nicely!

((Hugs and LOve)) ~SilentDream

[Emily B]

Bravo! You've done an amazing thing here. Shakespeare is one of my oldest favorites. I think he'd be pleased.