Birth(Death)day Bard
(23 April in the UK and elsewhere)
If we sang his birthday, someone
Would be owed money for
Copyright
There seems to be an economy to
The celebration
Since his birth day and his death day
Go as one
Without certitude
(certified baptism- and death-date)
Happy birthday, Queen’s man and King’s man
Patronized by both, though she
Would have Falstaff again,
Whom she was given in The Merry Wives of Windsor
All the world’s not a stage, and we
Are more than seven stages (ages), though
You wrote these in jest
From a character whose
Attitude we should not replicate
Like the speaker who opined
“To thine own self be true”
How many of your jokes do we take
For relevant advice?
Well, four hundred fifty-five
Your candled cake—your
Company would need to help take up the
Flame
While your dark lady rises
From the smoke of mystery that follows
(end of medieval, start of
Renaissance)
You cannot say good or bad day
Birth or death day
Even though we wish you well (I think,
after the school-essay’s done)
And if my words offend
(however parenthetically)
Here’s how I mend:
From Robin, Good day, Will
And I am done, until
C L Couch
Connormah, William Shakespeare – self-made, vectorized from existing PNG/JPG files, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7324293
clcouch123 
May 1, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Lovely tribute Christopher. So talented, but like many in his day, Shakespeare didn’t live long. But, si much accomplished in a little time. He also seemed to understand many profound truths about life then, and today. Perhaps, just the way humanity is and was. Lovely writing. I hope you’re well. That you enjoyed Easter and are enjoying spring. ThT you can enjoy nature again
May 2, 2019 at 2:18 am
Hi, Amanda. Thank you for your wise comments. Yeah, how he accomplished so much in a relatively short life is remarkable. The jobs that made him famous and wealthy were poet, actor, and theatre owner. Not playwriting–amazing! I think you’re right about humanity. Shakespeare’s works capture and challenge us to this day, because we can resonate still with what is given. I wonder if he knew we’d engage, centuries on. I hope you had a pleasant Easter. Mine was quiet, which is fine. Spring is up and down here so far. Cool weather today. Hot weather tomorrow. A little more than average rain. I write every day and look for part-time work. I try to get by. And you–I trust your activities are going successfully and also as fully as you want them to be. “Lovely writing.” You made my day.
May 3, 2019 at 6:40 am
Christopher. I’m glad to do so, that’s such a compliment. I read more than I comment at times, there’s just enough minutes I guess. I’m
Doing good. Settling into this living on your own thing which is both wonderful, but also very lonely. Both, exciting, but also exhausting. Trying to find more work online or outside of it has been tough. And I’ve been dealing w/ an ongoing head flu cold which has made the last few weeks harder. But, I’m doing some fun cardio dance classes and making a little home. Things will fall Into place. I know God has his timing and his reasons, and that’s what I try to believe. Easter was good. But, also strange being at my home for many years, but also having it feel not my home. Hope you’re feeling well. And yes spring here too had it’s snow days this past week. Let’s hope w/ May that’s done and for spring/summer w/o the forest fires. Take care my friend 🙂