April Musings and Sonnet 98

According to T.S. Eliot in his poem “The Wasteland”, April can be the cruelest month. William Shakespeare appears to agree as he laments separation from his beloved in Sonnet 98

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Sonnet 98

From you have I been absent in the spring,
When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,
That heavy Saturn laughed and leapt with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odor and in hue
Could make me any summer’s story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew.
Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.

Yet seemed it winter still, and, you away,
As with your shadow I with these did play.

--William Shakespeare

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Last Chance!

Today is the last day of W.Whitman Books' Spring Awakening 15% Off Sale! Located at 304 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY--we will be open today from 12 Noon to 4:00PM. I look forward to seeing you there! Doug