A ‘Birthday Apology’ to Shakespeare on his 455th, and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore The Society April 26, 2019 Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry, Shakespeare 8 Comments Birthday Apology William Shakespeare was born April 26, 1564 If all the world’s a stage, and all the men are women, myne eye be true, I gauge; her beard doth need a trimmin’! The Last Poet Advanced in years and bent in bone, I shed no tears; I walk alone. There up ahead, the door of death. A moment’s dread— I catch my breath. Continue then upon my way— no words to pen; no more to say. No final rhyme; my journey’s through. I’m out of time and so are you. Poet For Hire Sonnet? I’m on it! Haiku? That too! Free verse? None worse … Sorry! Joe Tessitore is a retired New York City resident and poet. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. 8 Responses James Sale April 26, 2019 Very good Joe – made me smile several times! I see you are NY based (unless you are ‘retired from NY’ too, meaning you are somewhere else!) – but if so, I hope you’ll be coming along to Bryant Park on the morning of the 17th June to perform a poem or two and to meet me and others from SCP? Reply Peter Hartley April 26, 2019 A very amusing little trio of epigrams, if I may call them that; and brevity being the soul of wit how could the last one fail to sparkle with only twelve words? Reply Peter Hartley April 26, 2019 And remembering the Baconian Controversy: Francis Bacon Was sometimes taken For William Shakespeare, How queer. Reply Amy Foreman April 26, 2019 Rhyming “trimmin'” with “women” is pretty genius, Joe! Reply David Paul Behrens April 26, 2019 Hi Joe – Here are some verses from two separate poems I wrote long ago: Shakespeare, he was very wise. He had a way with a play. When it came to writing words He knew just what to say. Shakespeare said the world’s a stage And we are all just players. Some of us don’t like the wage, And so are just spectators. Reply James A. Tweedie April 26, 2019 As The Bard once put it, “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” I must say I am enjoying the good birthday celebration humor regardless of which variety of foolishness it represents. Thanks all, for the smile. Reply David Watt April 27, 2019 Thanks Joe, for brightening my day with your trio of epigrams. Reply E. V. April 30, 2019 These were very humorous … and clever! I enjoyed reading them. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
James Sale April 26, 2019 Very good Joe – made me smile several times! I see you are NY based (unless you are ‘retired from NY’ too, meaning you are somewhere else!) – but if so, I hope you’ll be coming along to Bryant Park on the morning of the 17th June to perform a poem or two and to meet me and others from SCP? Reply
Peter Hartley April 26, 2019 A very amusing little trio of epigrams, if I may call them that; and brevity being the soul of wit how could the last one fail to sparkle with only twelve words? Reply
Peter Hartley April 26, 2019 And remembering the Baconian Controversy: Francis Bacon Was sometimes taken For William Shakespeare, How queer. Reply
David Paul Behrens April 26, 2019 Hi Joe – Here are some verses from two separate poems I wrote long ago: Shakespeare, he was very wise. He had a way with a play. When it came to writing words He knew just what to say. Shakespeare said the world’s a stage And we are all just players. Some of us don’t like the wage, And so are just spectators. Reply
James A. Tweedie April 26, 2019 As The Bard once put it, “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” I must say I am enjoying the good birthday celebration humor regardless of which variety of foolishness it represents. Thanks all, for the smile. Reply
