Romeo
She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on hm
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

(Romeo accidentally steps on the stage trapdoor and disappears)

Juliet
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

Valentines Day

It’s Valentines Day! So hey!
I thought I’d say, 
Happy Valentines Day!

Still looking for your Romeo or Juliet?
Do not fret,
You’ll find him (or her) yet.

I am getting worse, I know! It’s not Shakespeare, it’s not a rhyme or a poem (blame lockdown) it’s just a little Happy Valentine Day wish to anyone out there who is looking, but may not have yet met their ‘other half of the orange’ yet. And just to let you know that you can meet that ‘someone special’ all of a sudden! He or she may be under your very nose! (albeit, falling down a trapdoor as in this poor Shakespearean actor’s case haha!) or just around the corner, or in the pub! Yes, I know pubs are closed right now! And it’s hard during lockdown to get close to anyone. But be sure, love will always find a way.

In my case, it was in the pub…a long time ago…before lockdown.

I met him in the pub

I was in the pub with an actor who invited me out for a beer,
He put his hand on my knee
(As a matter of factor I didn’t want it there)
I edge away in my chair,
away from his leer

He gives me a sidelong glance, 
I think,‘don’t try it mate you haven’t a chance’
The music is playing he wants to dance.

‘You can’t dance in here mate, this is a pub!
For that sort of thing — go to a club.’
I look ahead towards the bar
That’s when I see you from afar.

The man I am going to spend the rest of my life with.

You turn your head and gaze with eyes as blue as a mazarine sea.
Our souls meet across the smoke-filled saloon (they smoked in pubs then)
When I hold my breath and prepare to swoon.
The actor goes to the toilet,
I’m glad, (is that bad?)
because he’d only spoil it,

You stroll over and look me in the eye,
I sigh,
‘Oh my, oh my, oh my’

“Will you meet me in here tomorrow night?” you beg.
‘I must play hard to get’ I think, so I said, 
‘No’
But the following night
I might,
instead.

Lesley Scoble (written a very long time ago)

Okay, my poem isn’t quite Shakespeare! But what would Valentines Day be without a few sick bucket lines?

Back with the romantic Shakespearean theme — here’s a quote from that great comic genius Spike Milligan to cheer us all up.

Said Hamlet to Ophelia, I’ll draw a sketch of thee. What kind of pencil shall I use. 2B or not 2B?

Spike Milligan

Keep safe x