In case you were unaware, April is National Poetry Month!

According to Poets.org:

“Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.”

Every Friday this month I’ll be posting something poetry-related — maybe my poetry, maybe poetry-type prompts, favorite poetry books, etc. I haven’t fully decided what my plan is. But for this first one, I’m just sharing one of my favorite pieces of all time.

It’s not *exactly* a poem, but it is verse, and it is beautifully musical.

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Act 5, scene 1, lines 440-455.
Stanley Tucci as Robin Goodfellow, Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1999.

I’ve loved this play since I first read it in high school, and my college Shakespeare class cemented it. For extra credit on the final exam, we could recite a speech from memory, and this is the one I chose.

Robin Goodfellow (or Puck) is one of many fairies in the play, and a particularly mischievous one. With this speech, he breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly. He gives us a wink and a smile, tells us the play has all been in good fun, and hopes that we can part as friends.

It’s not a profound speech, with multi-layered meanings and deep thoughts; but it delights me all the same.

Are you doing anything for National Poetry Month? And have you any favorite bits from Shakespeare?