November 21: No Problem

No Shakespeare text is wholly problem free,

For even Hamlet must be saved at sea

By too-convenient pirates at their pleasure-

A text is not a play by any measure.

A play’s comprised of choices beyond number

To smooth the moments that the words encumber,

Defining character, gestures explaining

In ways both truthful and yet entertaining.

And when the concept unifies instead

Of highlighting the broken story thread,

We understand how Pericles can be

A trial to read and yet a joy to see.

For thoughtful, cleve...