Featured Poem: Sonnet 37 by William Shakespeare
Written by The Reader, 19th March 2018
For this week's Featured Poem we're going straight to the Bard himself for poetic inspiration with Sonnet 37.
The sound advise from the Bard in Sonnet 37 reminds us to celebrate the fortunes of others. When we find ourselves "made lame by fortune's dearest spite" there may be comfort to be found in the seeing others thrive.
It may be advise easier given than received for those feel a touch of the green eyed monsters when they find themselves down on their luck. But as Shakespeare reminds us, if we can appreciate and champion the happiness of others and wish them more of it, we'll in turn bring that joy back to ourselves.
Sonnet 37
As a decrepit father takes delight
To see his active child do deeds of youth,
So I, made lame by fortune’s dearest spite,
Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth.
For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit,
Or any of these all, or all, or more,
Entitled in thy parts do crownèd sit,
I make my love engrafted to this store.
So then I am not lame, poor, nor despised,
Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give
That I in thy abundance am sufficed,
And by a part of all thy glory live.
Look what is best, that best I wish in thee.
This wish I have; then ten times happy me.
William Shakespeare
