Poetry Saturdays…on Sunday: William Shakespeare

This weekend’s poetry slightly delayed by massive writing commitments (Michelle’s) and a weekend trip to Atlanta for a Big Fat Southern Wedding (mine). In honor of the bride and groom and the best weekend with friends that I’ve had in a looooong time, I give you the Bard’s Sonnet XXIX, which you may read either as an ode to romantic love or to the enduring power of friendship.

When in disgrace with Fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least.
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.