Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

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BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

#1 Post by BobBradshaw » 17 Jan 2023, 08:06

Will Shakespeare. The Road to London


When did sex become a lecture?
Anne would interrupt our delight
—to criticize or offer “advice”.

For Christ’s love, Will,
can thou not spend more time
with the twins when I cook?

Hast thou promised not to leave
your hose strung on nails?
No wonder they are torn.

Canst thou promise? Yes, yes, yes!
I would have agreed
to leading a crusade

into the Holy Land—
if only she would let me
get on with her field’s plowing

—which gloriously would end
with us soaked like brooks…

Yet often love came to naught.
As the morning air warmed
criticisms arose like swarms

of summer gnats--too many
to wave off.

As long as I could piss
village life would always
look askance at rules broken.

A glover’s son can no more
join the Bricklayer's guild
than a Cordwainer’s or a Goldsmith's.

Should I count myself
among sheep, deer and goats,
grateful to give my life to glove making?

I fled to London as if a French
regiment was chasing me.
I slept rough for days..

I left money for Anne,
and swore on Christ's wounds
that I would send more soon.

Everyone warned me
the morals in the city
were as foul as its streets.

I was wall-eyed innocence:
whores even in winter
were common as fleas,

and every thief in London
liked to warm his hands
in my pockets.

The constant thought of food
which beggared me to listen
to my stomach…

was little distraction
against the thoughts of my beloved children
--and Anne--who filled my head…

What were they doing?
Did they think of me?

Without work, I hung around theatres,
until bit parts were proffered.

How did I get my first chance?
I spoke up. Hast thee a part for a knave?
"Thou wilt be perfect!"

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Billy
Posts: 1384
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 10:56

Re: Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

#2 Post by Billy » 17 Jan 2023, 23:12

So, so good. I could see as a movie: the dialogue, the scenes, the humor.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

#3 Post by BobBradshaw » 19 Jan 2023, 22:08

Thanks, Billy. Appreciate it.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

#4 Post by FranktheFrank » 20 Jan 2023, 23:26

S7 oft for often?

S1 humping for sex?

S1 canst for can?

S15 Colons are for lists?

Penultimate stanza 'bit parts' seems too modern to me.
Maybe scene shifter or scene painter.

You have put yourself into the writer's shoes before his success;
something i have never done with Will, always thinking of him
as the successful author poet.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Will Shakespeare. The Road to London

#5 Post by BobBradshaw » 22 Jan 2023, 20:45

Thanks, Ieuan

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