(Court is in Recess)

Remember Hamlet extolled the virtue of sleep.
When dreaming made a lie of blissful
Rest
Quiet
Ease
Peace
Healing or
Floating without cares, troubles buried deep.

Still we uncover sad truths about our rest
Past fears and loss swim up to near consciousness,
Slough off the webs of seaweed vines binding them
And shakes us with pictures of things we did not know
Or perhaps deigned to forget in the busyness of today.

Do ye ken the chambered nautilus tale told of ever
Sealed niches of yesterday’s faults and wishes?
Which we ask is true?
Should I heed advice
From Whitman or the sainted Bard of Avon?

Since I find as age stacks up, sleep and dreams
Attack with past shreds of stories I have lived or
Wished to live, I’ll just stick with Shakespeare.

One can’t go far wrong sticking to his ancient tradition.
English teachers will always bend to that beat and position,
As our greatest, wisest, funniest genius if we but read and listen.