William Shakespeare and Marian Sue Elam

Enjoy this Analysis of Shakespearean Sonnets

Procreation and Creative Expression Deflect Time's Scythe  By: Marian Elam
	Realism is a reoccurring trait of several sonnets written by Shakespeare. Shakespeare did not idealize his mistress's attractiveness in the slightest (e.g. Sonnet 47), and physical beauty he did perceive and appreciate was, as he asserted constantly, always and only short-lived. Shakespeare often voiced his awareness of how the destructiveness of time caused the loss of beauty, youth, and life, and thus increased the value of procreation and creative expression.
	Sonnet 15 begins by talking about the temporary quality of beauty and life:
	 "When I consider every thing that grows
	 Holds in perfection but a little moment"
Beauty is fleeting and life seems futile because of the destructiveness of time. But there are ways to perpetuate an individual's essence when it is put in terms of either physical or intellectual merits.
	In Sonnets 3, 12, and 18, Shakespeare urges a handsome young man to marry so that he could pass on his good looks to his children: "Die single, and thine image dies with thee." There are benefits to raising a family. Through children, people can perpetuate their essence. They can contribute ethical beliefs and traditions through teaching their children as well as their physical characteristics to the future. 
	Through procreation people can be remembered, even if it is only for their physical resemblance. Recollection of beauty and youth lost is also a beneficial experience which results from raising a family. Observing their children provides people with the opportunity to relive their youth (e.g. Sonnet 3).
	The ending couplet of Sonnet 12 appears to indicate that procreation is the only way to brave time:
	 "And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defense
	 Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence." Again, however, this sonnet is talking about the physical beauty of a young man and how to preserve that beauty. Shakespeare stresses the importance of sustaining memories of beauty but that beauty may not neccessarily be physical. 
	Shakespeare's sonnets also reflected classic confidence in the permanence of poetry which results from the continual reading of literature by generation after generation. Surely Shakespeare saw literature as a vehicle of remembrance of not only physical beauty, but intellectual accomplishment. 
	In his sonnet, "On Shakespeare," Milton indicated that Shakespeare did not need a more elaborate burial place than that of his grave in Stratford. Shakespeare had, and knew he had, the best possible acknowledgement of his achievements: the interested readings of his works made by members of each following generation. Shakespeare, in his gifted way, deflected Time's scythe.

Poetry by Marian S. Elam

-   Bright Spot Of Life

You're like the bright light
Fighting drabness of my dreary day
You stand by me tight
And everything seems okay.

Even when alone, I still feel
The magic barely ebbing-still so real
Lightening the load of a hectic day
Even when you're far away.

-   Dreams Maintained and Renewed

There at a funeral of my dreams
I beheld a rose that will fade
On this dreaded day
We struggle for words to say
Words which seem unnecessary and vague
We see death like a tragic plague
There at the funeral like my dreams
You helped me to salvage or so it seemed
Like many days, there was pain
Little was cheerfulness ingrained
But we sang a hymn of praise
We had for him a prayer to raise
That for us there will be gain
That He has and is risen and will come again

-   Light Reading

A short jog of words
Some for fifty yards others for miles
It is not for the birds
Whose pleasant chirps give us smiles
It does not have to rhyme
Or be set to music
Or be profusely prolific
It does not have to encompass time
Nor be astoundly profound nor glib
It does not have to remember the crib
Many expect a poem of balance
But not necessarily a glance
Into a writer's personal life
Nor complaining about blight
Besides writing on the chastity of morality
Or violation of inhumanity
The audience may just want it to be light
Like the mild sun in the day
Not necessarily changing our perspective or sight
But being a pleasant chat to be gay.

-   Squirrel Sentinels

A cloak of black faded into the air
I was intrigued to walk into the unknown's invisible lair
I looked around with more notice and care
And then saw a squirrel with all of its hair
Posed with intentness of decision
The squirrel turned with familiar precision
An about-face to a new mission
Of returning from the ground to a tree--action
I continued in my nature walking with a line
Another day showed me nature helped to keep time
I heard marching and I looked for soldiers--a sign
Then I saw squirrels crunching in unison the marching rhyme
Like Indian headdresses both had tails above and behind each head
They were eating statues on catty-corner trees
They were each pawing a walnut and not noticing dismay or dread
Not saluting visitors, if you please
But the march was not done
Though I felt Old Man Winter had won
It was nothing new under the sun
But my awareness had just begun.

-   Stars in the Firmament

A metaphor for the truth, goodness, and light that is in and around us

As if sent from heaven above
In the sign of a dove
Miracles occurred to unleash love
The most inner part includes the heart
Spurring others their invocations to start
Knowing more than good-byes would part
The waves of change that impacted all
No one member was too small
To be included in a glimmering of light
To fade into the night
Was that a shooting or the twinkling of a star?
The song ensued with a note or bar
And she said to him Let me light your life
Persevere and there will be no strife
Between us and she grew radiant 
In love that gave off a rich scent
But beyond the senses was the peace of mind
Now free to love said the heavenly sign
And the writer strained to capture in every line
The expression of God's hand in the sublime

-   The Calm of the Storm

It was not just all in my mind
The lights flickered 
A lightning bug would be so kind
Despite the distraction the important was in mind
I wanted to achieve beyond my domain
The thunderstorm rained tears of the insane
The thunderstorm loomed as emotions were gloomy
It stood against all I wanted to be
The lightning struck another loud No!
I had to take cover not to be bold
And now finally I just feel old
But fortunately the climax was reached
Not another strike--my prayers had beseeched
Now I am comforted with promises of growth
The rain continues the life's cycle
The joyful pitter-pat of drops falling down
Continuing Nature's plan to survive and recycle
Persuading my mind its progress out loud
Giving fuel to love and life abound
In both silence and sound

-   The Carriage of Friendship and Love

The Carriage of Friendship and Love
You're like the waves of coolness on the hot sand
Lapping the coastline with salt and breeze
The waves foam white at night celebrating this land
And the retaining of you which is one of the keys
To living a life of balance
A life for breath, running and dance
Thank you for being a friend who is there
Helping me to hold values dear
With the responsibilities which link us today
I would not have it any other way.
The camera flashes to store this date
A time of rejoicing, dancing towards Fate
This anniversary marks it all
Changes with Love that stand tall
We mustn't let go and be late
For we are rejoicing, ready for Fate
Whether birth, death, achievement or marriage
Let Love bring on its carriage!

-   The Merry Muse Part I

I am a merry muse
a merry muse am I
I love to sing and dance
and write of days gone by
And of the days to come
a poem I'll inspire
that fills the hearts of men
and lifts them higher and higher
My task, with visions clear
of beauty fill your mind
And show you on your way
your own way thus to find
The world is full of joy
for those who seek it out
the finding like the find
is what life is about
So follow me and dance
the dance that I will show
And measure with its strides
The roads where you will go

-   The Sky Knows

When I seriously look at the sky 
It tells me why 
Always explaining 
but eluding 
A glimpse behind 
the scenes of life 
A beautiful presentation changing 
rearranging 
Exposing different details 
at a time 
Always covering yet filtering 
Why.

-   The Theory of Numbers Does End

And one to two for three could be 
A mismatch of numbers if there ever was one.
And on to test the books and theory
Written and left for us to meditate upon.
Hoping for maintaining the living standard
Let us consider the theory in strict form 
Using the model of constant population growth
To maintain evenness throughout with each norm?
But we need the new minds to sow
Just what we mean by constant, and not zero.
Could both mean a constant time exponent of e?
Not as drastic or shocking as a liberal could be.
Even so, to cement a constant birth rate
Into society would create a questionable state.
Retreating from theorizing with a feeling of the paranormal,
Our bout with theory has left us the sense of abnormal.
For the ghost of the theoreticians cry for
More minds to study, to test, to score
The theory left for us to study--
Among how we came to be?

-   The Tree Druid

Trees took on different shapes
Trees duplicated bare waiting for bloom
With intertwining limbs were the druid's fighters
Bent in underbrush
Others stood up in contrast
Holding hands up waving for attention
Then some were tilted toward the road
As if planted that way
There was no stand off
With arms almost overlapping
By my side, as if decided
Yet another planter besides Nature
Bringing nature carefully in
Straight and well-spaced
Wanting and waiting to be nut-and-fruit healthy
Mixing manure to balance
With clay taking in more water
We initiate a planting
Of a tree with a trunk
Its slim trunk to be buried, rooted and drunk

-   Catching The Wave

Trials were upon us for long--
We had to be faithfully strong
Change was needed and was on
Much was pending--to be done

But glances were poised and good
The handshakes were as one should
the interview smoothly sailed
the arrangements detailed

We caught the wave and sailed in
With all concerned seeming friends
Times of breakthrough--life's transitions
Mixing with surprised congratulations

But needing to be saved
With earthquakes and hurricanes
With cars crowded in every lane
We caught the wave

And we moved on and on and up
We proved that we could beat the stuff
We caught the wave, and then
We caught the wave

-   The Carriage of Friendship and Love

You're like the waves of coolness on the hot sand
Lapping the coastline with salt and breeze
The waves foam white at night celebrating this land
And appreciating times like these is one of the keys
To living a life of balance
A life for breath, running and dance
Times to share with romance
The pen to write as Love's lance
Helping me to hold values dear
With the responsibilities which link us today
Life full not of troubles on this pier
I would not have it any other way
The camera flashes to store this date
A time of rejoicing, dancing towards Fate
This anniversary marks it all
Changes with Love that stand tall
We mustn't let go and be late
For we are rejoicing, ready for Fate
Whether birth, death, achievement or marriage
Let Love bring on its carriage!

-   The Flower of Life and Love

Let me flower beside you
Spreading like flour on a pan
Sifting like the fine grains of sand
Opening a petal for each forget-me-not
Of what is begotten not what is besot
Let me flower and feel me baby cool
Let the flower be like a fan
Blowing on you, my man
Let the time bring on the thing
Flowering is yours and my fling
With flowers beside you like presents
Fighting and wafting off stale scents
These flowers aren't for sale
Love's not always blowing in the gale
Which freshens but not always restores love 
The act not just the feeling from heaven above
Not waiting for time to lapse to eternity
Let this flower be you and me

-   The Gift of a New Person

She does not know my name but she does know "Mine!"
When playing with a castle she does not waste time.
She is receptive to ideas about placement of figurines.
Today any tiredness is undetected or not seen.
She intrinsically brought peace of mind in her healthy body.
There was no disturbed crying, no sign of melancholy.
The promise of the future seemed wrapped within
This precious new person who was not long-lived.
What comes with this person so new to the scene?
The verge of answers or a response that is keen.
This one may very well engineer the 22nd century.
Meeting the challenge with techniques yet to be seen.
This new one's help made the future less intimidating:
The future of problems continue us searching
With new challenges that keep us looking
For new personnel to assist our researching.
And I am confident she will be just in time
To fulfill the needs for her fresh mind
And talents so sorely needed by us all.
How fortunate we are to have this one to call!

-   The Seek For The Cure

Always hoping, with hopes secure
Praying for, looking for the cure
For such a prospect, it is hard to rest
The answer must be the very best
This puts our regular trials in perspective
We decide to take a break now and festive
We continue to want success more and more
We don't just want, we decide the score
But the games we play will be binding
Upon our hearts, for we must keep finding
And keep not smarting from a lapse
Knowing we must not give in or collapse
Hope, stand still, don't leave us asking
The wrong questions at the trial tasking
Looking for the right gifts leading 
Us to find our hearts bleeding
We realize the truth of the challenge
We turn to medicine, recreation and prayer
Looking for the rise from the wheelchair
Knowing that Our Lord is there

-   Burlap

You would look good in burlap, he said
Leaving her with a positive impression
Some small things unexpected, for which she never read
Teaching her important building blocks of lesson.
Come with me to the Casba--
Always needing a line to linger on
Never wanting a second glance to discover the scar
Of unfulfilled hopes dashed upon.
Your hope should become part of a dream
That you forever keep.
Holding on the old, keeping pure and bold,
Knowing when not to mettle
With the water boiling over the kettle,
The water of refreshment enhancing love
The water refreshing sent from above,
Not withstanding the spirits sent by a dove
Always seeking the truth of love.

-   Listen: The Rhythm of the World

Listen to the night
Walk alone, to the world unknown
Do what feels right
Watch the still stars
Think away any ugly scars
Leave just the sensuality 
of the world in its time 
of mystery.
Listen to the day
In the crowd, people say, what the hey-
There will always be another
Don't sweat it but do bother 
Be the hope we are really seeking!
Someone who will do the job
Without brimming over with hard work, weeping
Don't be just part of the mob.
Dawn fades to collect dust with the sun
People find that they are always on the run
The dust gathers at dusk and miracles occur
With a sunset of rest and opportunity to serve.

-   The Murky Drip

Too much of one thing leaks out the other way.
Waiting for absorption, the murky water will stay.
Absorbing every word, phrase or statement to say
Too much of one thing leaks out the other way.
The coffee leaves its dregs of ground
The drinking of it may not be sound
Suggestion of what to do after the brew
What else is there, in lieu
Of you drinking your ideas, again and again
You know how much and of when
The time for your toasting celebrations shall cease
But let�s toast one more time if you please
Too much of one thing leaks the other way
From lemonade to coffee, soda and tea
What other choice could endear you to me
Is it always the drink you crave
For you this drink I�ll save
But just enough, knowing, okay
Too much of one thing leaks out the other way

-   The Plague of Those With Sight

They say these children should not live
No human rights to them they give
But since when do they have the right
To speak for all those which should have sight?
For love of money over life
They put these children to the knife
The guilt is shared by each and all
Who don�t defend these lives so small
The obstacles to cure are for us to face
This cuts across each language, each race
Wanting those who have this for a calling
The pope and President won�t be crawling
Your hands are clean, or so you think
While mankind totters on the brink
Of moral death and genocide
Where life is for man to decide�
We'll join the list of unfit lives
To be thrown away with the times
We all must change the preborn's fate
Or one day it may be too late.

-   Colors Au Natural

The split pea soup of the mossy stream
The icy foam of the pond's gleam
The colors of nature cannot be beat
Each change of season is the world's treat

The browns and the greens 
The fall-colored leaves
Trees with limbs providing perches
Squirrels going on with their searches

A flash of a bird
Never seems absurd
It adds fireworks to the color scheme
Adding a note to the musical dream
The clap of thunder with the ominous gray

Is brushed aside with the solar yellow of the day
As if still Spring, is youthful green
Adding flavors to the season�s scene