Inspiration: Timeless and Timely
Many of you who accepted this “Poem A Day” invitation have read plays by William Shakespeare and may even have a favorite. One of my favorites that seldom gets dropped from high school reading lists is ROMEO AND JULIET. Did you read this one? Have you seen any of the adaptations of the play on the stage, at the opera house, or in the movies? You’ll acknowledge that even though the play itself is over 400 years old, the themes are contemporary. One that I’d like you to consider today does not relate either to teenage romance or suicide, but to the redeeming power of love.
Process
Today, reflect on your memories of a play by Shakespeare (his birthday is around the corner, 4/23/1564), a recent reading, observation or experience related to the redeeming power of love.
Then, in keeping with the idea of timeless and timely, listen to the rap beats laid over the theme song Nino Rota composed for the 1968 Zeffirelli film about Romeo and Juliet.
In whatever words come to you, write your memories of redeeming love.
Now, arrange them in words that can be read to the 21st century beat, to the 20th century Romeo and Juliet theme song.
Anna’s Poem
Here’s my attempt to do what I’ve asked you to do. I’m in awe of the men and women who spend their time working with teens, especially those who may not be doing well in school. While their experiences may not be exactly like that of Romeo and Juliet, today’s teen may have someone like Friar Lawrence who encourages them to love not hate. Here’s my rap in honor of those community activists. Will you share your poetic reflection or tribute?
Rapping Romeo (Rap Beats begin after ad)
Cruising *knightly with our homies
Hanging out much too late.
Getting into so much trouble
Just because of hate.
Reverend Joe, he’s a minister
Walking around our hood.
Warning us not to act so sinister.
Saying we should be good.
“Get your learning,”
He would tell us.
“Each of you could be earning
More than you think you could,
More than you thought you would.
Now let’s get going like you should.
“Don’t be hanging with your crew
Doing what you should not do;
Staying out much too late
Attracting trouble because of hate.
“Come on, knights,” he keeps cajoling.
“Come on, knights,” he keeps on coaxing
“Time to neutralize that hate.
Spread some good! It’s not too late.
“Come on, knights,” he keeps cajoling.
Come on, knights,” he keeps on coaxing.
“Time to neutralize that hate!
Spread some good! It’s not too late.
We can neutralize that hate.
Spread some good! It’s not too late.”
Rap beats from Sad Love Piano Violin Rap Beat Hip Hop Instrumental 2014 – Romeo & Juliet (FishBeats)
*Yes, I intentionally used this pun to remind us that some teens believe they are protecting their neighborhoods, as did the knights of old. Our Reverend Joes, like Romeo’s Friar Lawrence, are calling on the better angels within our teens, to act out of love, not hate for “the other”.
Anna J. Small Roseboro, a National Board Certified Teacher is a published author and poet but is primarily an educator with over forty years’ experience teaching English and Speech to students in middle school, high school and college in public, private, and parochial schools in five states. A mentor for early career educators, Ms. Roseboro earned a B.A. in Speech Communications from Wayne State University and an M.A. in Curriculum Design from the University of California, San Diego. Her newest published work is a series of books published by Rowman and Littlefield designed for pre-service teachers and for those teaching middle school for the first time. See those three books GETTING STARTED (2018) MORE ABOUT WRITING (2019) EXPERIENCE POEMS AND PICTURES (2019) and NOT INTIMIDATING (2019) on her website http://teachingenglishlanguagearts.com/.
A challenge today! I apologize to the gods of rap.
Advice for Portia’s Suitors (Merchant of Venice)
Suitors beware,
Pick one if you dare.
A chest of gold or silver or lead.
The correct choice, and you’ll be wed.
And Portia is so very fly
So be sure to wear your best neck tie.
And man, that girl is no gold digger.
Her bank account–seven figures.
On the flip-side, she’ll keep you guessin’.
She may surprise you by cross-dressin’.
Plus she and Nerissa are a package deal.
You may just wind up as their third wheel.
So choose a chest; pick wisely son.
If you’re lucky, you might be the one.
Ah, my favorite Shakespeare of all! I love Portia’s clever ways. Your poem makes me smile!! I love the cross-dressing!
[I just could not get a grip on parts of today’s prompt, but I gave this a shot in my own way.]
Shakespeare, I Apologize
My advice on love bears poor witness fraught —
Clamp ears, fall deaf, save heart, and turn away;
my demons, darkness, loss, and what was not
Cannot espouse to guide or lead your way.
As tempted as I am to save you woe
with mantras, maxims, tripe my lips pronounce,
served up with “should” and “must” and “oh, I know,”
fall short and flat and, yes, you must renounce.
My words exhort and only serve to preach,
to curb your trek, curtail your journey long,
mere doctrines from a fool who aims to teach,
as if my words from larks an evensong.
Deflect my pitch, drag love and all its glory
through thorns and scrapes, you’ll write a better story.
by Susie Morice
Susie,
I have read this three times, and I am in awe of your beautiful way with words. Today’s inspiration was of Shakespeare and love and rhythm, and you have woven all into this verse with wise words though you warn the “mantras, maxims” fall short. Indeed to “drag love and all its glory/through thorns and scrapes” is the making of a “better story” that Shakespeare definitely agrees with. Your first line has me wanting to hear some of your stories!
Sarah
What do you mean you can’t get a grip? This is pure genius! You blended Shakespear-esque advice with your very own unique twist!! That’s a great grip.
Thanks, you dear poets you! Working on this one was a real brain bender. Susie
With apologies to the Bard, this rap is based on a play that’s hard. Please don’t judge this crazy rhyme, I cannot rap any time.
“King Lear Rap”
A daughter’s love is never moving
Even with dad’s disapproving
When she says her heart be grooving
On her man and in his swooning.
Though her sisters vowed an oath
Cordelia’s love old Lear robed
Those jealous girls they did both
Avenge their sister whom they loathed
Kent chilled with his homey
Even up on mountain stormy
Faithful friend in Lear’s tsunami
The old man would not be lonely.
And younger girl is no fool
Her name is written on the scroll
When Lear in death she did console
And jealousy released Lear’s soul.
Now let this tale sink right in
And let it speak among our kin
Those green with envy cannot win
The hateful drown in their chagrin.
So know the bard has got your back
That old white dude ain’t no hack
Read his words and when you slack
He’ll give you beats most white folk lack.
Glenda, I continue to be in awe at your ability to write in verse. I loved reading King Lear in college and, perhaps sadly, haven’t read it since. I find your word choice in the end rhyme facinating because they create a poem –capturing theme — when read on their own. I had a hard enough time with the rhymes in my lazy sonnet. This may be beyond me!
Have you used the Rhyme Zone? When I get stuck I look words up. ?
Glenda,
I know this is a serious play, but I had fun reading your poem and the way you rhyme added whismy, especially the last stanza with “bard has got your back” and “old white dude ain’t no hack.” You certainly made King Lear accessible!
Glenda — Your homage to Lear’s lessons are pretty fun here. At times I chuckled … “her heart be groovin’ on her man…” (LOL!) I always enjoy the phrase turning in Shakespeare “in death she did console” and like the advice in the last lines to go back to the bard for “beats” that go missing elsewhere. I really had trouble with today’s prompt and am so glad that you came through with muscle. Thanks, Susie
My favorite part: “Now let this tale sink right in
And let it speak among our kin
Those green with envy cannot win
The hateful drown in their chagrin.” I love how this gets to the moral of it all. It reminds me of the Thug Life literature guy who is so hilarious in this approach on YouTube!
Today I chose passages from the four gospels to rap Good Friday’s Last Word
Good Friday’s Last Word
You think your haters and
gangstas are oh, so bad
well they weren’t nothin
like one Man had
two of His own gang
betrayed and denied
one kissed Him to show
who’d be crucified
He pleaded with Daddy to
take this cup
His Daddy said “Trust me,
Son, I know whassup.”
One bro sold Him out for
some silver coins
They scourged Him,
nailed Him up, and
pierced His loins
They mocked Him with a
crown of thorns and
other things
They told Him He wasn’t
the King of Kings
His haters said if He was
King He’d jump down
Instead He forgave them
with love that astounds
He said, “It is finished” and
died on His cross
But Daddy wasn’t finished
showing who was Boss
Fast forward three days
and His rock was moved
The King of Kings done
busted out, KINGDOM
PROVED!
His Daddy said, “Son, I
didn’t take that cup
‘cause now to Heaven I can bring alla y’all up.”
Next time you think haters
get the best of you
Just look at what one Man,
a Savior, went through.
-Kim Johnson
Wow, Kim! What a clever retelling of my favorite event. I especially love how you make the Father’s dialogue so real and personal, which is how He speaks to me: “Trust me, [daughter], I know whassup.” Thank you for this today. Good Friday.
Kim,
What struck me was your use of pronouns throughout, which emphasizes the us and them of this scene. “They mocked him….They told him.” And then, in the end you name him Savior.” Thank you, Kim.
You made this challenge meaningful! A very accurate, modernized retelling. Thank you!
Triple WOW!!!! For me, this is GOOD FRIDAY, the final days of Passion Week and reading your rap, reminds me that Christ crew did not remain true. But He did!
“Just look at what one Man,/a Savior went through” is such a strong culminating reminder of God’s ultimate sacrifice, but in my mind I think: just look at what one man, a Savior can do.” For I am weak and he is strong. Maybe I’ll go to church Sunday. This is something I don’t generally do. I frequently tell others not going to church isn’t a denial of faith but a rejection of organized religion. Still, I do miss it—-sometimes.
Thank you! You gave me the perfect last line for naming him if I add an additional line – “Just look at what Jesus can do!” I am grateful that you shared your thoughts- I like the poem better now. I never thought of the disciples as a gang or as homies – so this poetry rap really stretches my way of thinking and challenges and widens previously held notions.
To My Romeo of Twenty-Five Years
From a distance I watch,
though not in that creepy, stalker way.
I notice how you go about your day
with deliberate strokes, sure of your way:
calculated balance in your choices and moves —
never too much of this or to little of that,
careful ‘n precise discretion —
never soaring to excess nor slipping into debt.
Laughing without restraint.
Suffering without complaint.
Loyal with measured doubt.
Honest, and not to a fault.
Only a few feet away now,
I will move a bit closer
(again, not with that creepy, stalker dread),
and I shall try to laugh with you
though I imagine I will watch you laugh instead,
and I shall try to refrain from complaint
when I feel pain or my heart is flat,
and I shall be
more loyal
more honest
because you —
are a pretty good teacher.
Sarah, I love what you do with structure here (and in your other poems). I struggle with this, but you do it so beautifully.
In this tender tribute, I focus in on the significance of character:
Laughing without restraint.
Suffering without complaint.
Loyal with measured doubt.
Honest, and not to a fault.
And feel the commitment and emotion in the turn at the end:
and I shall be
more loyal
more honest
because you —
Thank you!
Thank you, Amy. My husband knows who he is and is entirely consistent. He has always known who he is and his purpose. I am always wrestling with oughts and shoulds.
Sarah — One of the best parts of thinking about love is coming to the recognition that it really is so often in the subtle observations of what one gives to another. You have a good “teacher.” Lines that resonated particularly… “calculated balance” “laughing without restraint” (absolutely something I love), and “loyal with measured doubt” — always good thinking with these thoughtful phrases. Thanks, Susie
Sarah, Congratulations on 25 years with the same Romeo! The “calculated balance in moves and choices” is such an admirable trait. This was a beautiful tribute poem.
This is a marvelous tribute to your husband who teaches you these things. I love this part best: “careful ‘n precise discretion —
never soaring to excess nor slipping into debt.
Laughing without restraint.
Suffering without complaint.”
Oh, if we could all love simply and laugh heartily!
Live simply is what I meant but love simply works too…..
Sometimes we accidentally write what we mean., don’t we. 🙂 That’s one of the powerfully revealing traits of writing.
What a heartwarming tribute!
The humor in “not in that creepy stalker way” juxtaposed w/ the devotion and love you obviously feel after all these years is wonderful. I love the parallelism toward the end and the way it shows the balance in your love’s personality.