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The Bard Visits 2023

Awakening with heart and mind a-spin, methought midst some psychotic malady. "What hellish afterlife am I now in"? Yon passerby said "2023". Eyes fixed on "mobile phones" with no regret, here, plays are viewed at home on a "TV", events viewed from afar by "internet", and almost no one reading poetry. In thund'rous flight, huge metal birds (bizarre!) at heights and speeds not for the faint at heart. A carriage (with no horse!) they call a "car", and huge emporiums they call "Wal-Mart". One thing unchanged from 1594: a tyrant's greed still thrusts men into war. Written 13 Jan 2023

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Panagiota Romios

Date: 3/6/2023 1:10:00 PM

And no that BS that we did it for money, John is a sin to sayI see that Robin Hood thinking all over PS. We are headed to be communists. We passed Socialism..haven’t you noticed? The equity issue is nuts in CA. Nobody gets extra cash because of color. Dems playing race card…..Pangie

Panagiota Romios

Date: 3/6/2023 1:05:00 PM

Congratulations John. I never saw this brilliant piece. Having been a child in WW 2, Americans went all over the world and died to save others. Europes soil has plenty of American bodies. They repay us today by not paying their fair share in NATO. And demand we fund an endless war in the UKraine. But let the crime in America run full force. Terrorists in this country, kids dying from Fentanyl …from China sent to cartels. Americans are a good people, bout time we said so. Pangie

John Watt
Date: 3/7/2023 7:10:00 PM

Thanks Pangie for the kind congrats and generosity of you time when writing comments. My time here is limited these days, but it's always encouraging to hear from you. Hugs ~ John

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 3/4/2023 12:53:00 AM

Excellent writing and so true. Wonderful. God bless you. (I work at Walmart) LOL... Love, Gina

John Watt
Date: 3/7/2023 7:14:00 PM

Walmart is a great institution, I have saved a lot of $$ there! I tried to imagine what would most shock Will, and I thought of stores the size of a village. Thank you for your sweet support ~ God bless

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/29/2023 9:38:00 AM

wow this is REALLY good but where are the congrats? Surely this made the winner list. it's SO good, John.

John Watt
Date: 3/7/2023 7:15:00 PM

Aw, thank you for thinking highly of this. You are always sweet in your encouragement.

Michael Tor

Date: 1/25/2023 8:32:00 PM

John this is so cleverly written. Your theme is well thought, conveyed, and written. If this doesn't reach the highest honor I will be very surprised. A favorite for me my friend.

John Watt
Date: 3/7/2023 7:16:00 PM

Michael, thank you for the fav and generosity of kindness. I hope you are doing well, my friend ~ John

Jim Slaughter

Date: 1/23/2023 11:26:00 AM

Well, John, he is certainly alive and well in this delightful piece. BOL in the contest.

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 2:55:00 PM

Thank you Jim, glad you found it delightful ~ John

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 1/20/2023 12:00:00 PM

John the bard. I loved the piece.

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 2:54:00 PM

Thank you, my friend, glad you enjoyed it ~ John

Joanna Daniel

Date: 1/19/2023 7:30:00 PM

Well written sonnet, John, congratulations:)

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 2:53:00 PM

Thank you Jo for the kind visit and much appreciated comment. God bless you ~ John

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 1/18/2023 8:06:00 PM

I see congratulations are in order! I think you've captured his baffled view point so exactly, and it is too sadly true, not many ready poetry today, and war is still a sad and bitter reality - I must add this to my faves~

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 2:52:00 PM

Thank you, my artistry sib. I typically live in a state of bafflement so it is somewhat easy for me to imagine another person being completely baffled, lol. I truly appreciate you adding this to your faves, I am honored.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 1/18/2023 3:35:00 AM

Splendid poetry once again but with a clever tone a carriage 'with no horse' they call a ''car", and huge emporiums they call "Wall-Mart''. Dear John, You are so versatile in your choice, love this write. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN. Hugs blessings, Jennifer.

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 2:48:00 PM

Hi dear Jenn, I've been super busy of late, and regrettably slow in replying... thank you for the kind words of support, it makes me smile that you think of me as versatile. I am a "master of none" but I do enjoy sailing in many channels. I appreciate you... blessings and hugs ~ John

Ann Peck

Date: 1/17/2023 2:50:00 PM

Wonderful sonnet, John! I love your ending couplet. Congratulations!

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:48:00 PM

Thank you Ann for the read and for letting me know what you liked most. Cheers ~ John

Eve Roper

Date: 1/17/2023 12:31:00 PM

Awesome verse, John, "Wal-Mart!!! . Congratulations on your 2nd place win in Anoucheka's contest.

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:47:00 PM

Thank you, my friend. I'm not sure our international friends all know of the superstore Walmart that are so ubiquitous in the US, but it worked so well with the rhyme and meter, I couldn't leave it out. Hugs ~ John

Ilene Bauer

Date: 1/14/2023 2:38:00 PM

hail to thee, john watt! this is brilliant and delightful! i hope it jumps to first place in the contest...

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:45:00 PM

ilene, thank you for the read and the kind comment, keeping with the spirit of the age!

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/14/2023 8:27:00 AM

My dearest PoBro, your miraculous poem resurrects the Bard and whisks him forward from 1594 to 2023 with poetic finesse. We see our world through the ancient eyes of the grand poet amazed by the huge changes in society except for one; "One thing unchanged from 1594: a tyrant's greed still thrusts men into war." - such a superb, sobering and affecting grand finale, John. No matter our technical evolution, we're so far behind on sharing the beauty of empathy and peace with each other. The essence of the Bard lives on in the drama and wonder of your exceptional poem. Your heartfelt poetry never fails to thrill and enthrall me! It is an honor to read your inspiring poetry and a greater honor still to call you friend. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes and hugs for you.. ~your PS-PS <3

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 1/14/2023 7:43:00 AM

Beautifully done, Dear John. Such an accurate picture of 2023 to our BARD! My fave! Warm wishes ~ Mala

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:44:00 PM

Thank you, dear Mala. My busy life has kept me from doing much at Soup lately, always appreciate your kindness. Grateful for the fave, warm blessings to you ~ John

Gary Radice

Date: 1/14/2023 4:28:00 AM

Clever and beautifully constructed John; deserving of the Bard himself. Cheers - Gary

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:42:00 PM

Thanks Gary. I was just commenting to Tom about a TV series called "Upstart Crow" that pokes a bit of fun at the Bard and wonder if it is well known in the UK. Hope you are feeling like a reupholstered sofa (fully recovered) Cheers ~ John

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/13/2023 11:19:00 PM

Love the twist at the end John and so true. I live about 25 mins away from Stratford on Avon his birthplace. Hope your new year is off to a good start. Tom

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:40:00 PM

Tom, if I ever make it over the pond, I will make sure to visit you and we can check out Stratford together. I have enjoyed watching the "Upstart Crow" series, and often wonder if you have seen it there in the UK. Cheers ~ John

Susan Lawrence

Date: 1/13/2023 11:18:00 PM

John , Bravo ! You have spoken the language of The Bard and woven beasts and behaviors of the present day in such a delightful way that I could only smile ! So very clever! I send you all good wishes for a beautiful 2023 . Best of luck in the contest . You rock ! A fav !! Big hugs , Susan :)

John Watt
Date: 1/26/2023 1:38:00 PM

Thank you, dear friend. I'm always glad to be able to bring a smile. I can only imagine how bizarre it would be to visit 500 years in the future. Always appreciate your uplifting words, and thanks for the fav as well. Blessings ~ John