Work Text:
In honor of the anniversary of the Bard’s natal day, it’s Talk like Shakespeare Day!
Herewith, my effort:
Sonnet For William Shakespeare
By Laurie Donaldson
4/23/23
Although I cannot phrase as well as he,
And true it is my meter seems a crime,
The Bard’s immortal verse doth beckon me
To chance thy scorn, tho’ better be to mime.
Since fourteen years had I when first I found,
His play of Ceaser’s glory and his death,
And later loved I thrilling to their sound,
Which clenched my heart and stole my very breath.
Then saw I Shakespeare’s work on stage well raked,
And played my moment brief when students vied,
I longed to act his words ‘til my heart ached,
To learn I more at feet of actor tried.
Will Shakespeare’s works my senses do bewitch.
My life, my mind did all his works enrich.
Dedicated to long suffering teacher and superlative actor Floyd King,
And to the memory of a comrade in the trenches at Borders, who walked the walk. You are missed Andrew.