WILL SHAKESPEARE
April 23 1564 — April 23 1616
WILLto his fellow players–Mr. Shakespeare spelled his nameSeveral waysAnd never studied the subjectENGLISHNOIn his 8 years of schooling(Yes only 8)He read Latin and Ancient GreekHistories, Myths, Poetry, PlaysIn their Original LanguagesEnglish was not studiedIt was the language of the peopleKind of like Darija todayLucky Lucky WillFree of constraintsEnglish was in fluxChanging FastSoWill couldPlay with wordsMake new wordsCoin vivid expressionsAnd oh
He might find itRichTo know he was actuallySTUDIEDat UniversitiesWhenAfter allHe was but a“Poor Player who struts and fretsHis HOUR upon the stage”BecauseYou seeHe didn’t write for booksHE WROTE FOR THE STAGEHe wrote parts for his friendsHe wrote parts for himselfWilliam Shakespeare
Wrote plays for those in fancy seatsAnd alsoFor those who had to stand —The “groundlings”
And
By GollyThis ActorAnd his palsOwned their own theatreAnd who was his greatest fan?Why Queen ElizabethHer Royal SelfAnd how did this BeingOf 16th Century EnglandThis son of a glove makerCome to know such extremesOf Human Nature—The depraved evil of an IagoThe hard earned wisdom of a King LearThe appreciation of the “monster” CalibanFor “sounds and sweet airs that give delight”And in Stratford
As a boyHow did he come to feelSo at home in natureSo ready to name all theFlowers, herbs,Each bit of greenery
That
He grew up with
Some miracle, was it ?
That gave usA mirrorThat400 years laterReflects our natureThrough indelible charactersIn stories we can’t forget
Thanks WILLFor Being With UsIn our brief
HOUR upon the StageBy Rosalia