First published 2018
Shakespeare speaks directly to his beloved, calling them his rose within an infinite universe. He declares that without this person, the vast cosmos means nothing to him. The poet challenges Death itself, claiming his beloved will defeat the force that withers mortals. If Death can die, then no one else will perish. He offers his own labor so that his beloved might claim the glory if his Muse pleases their crooked age. The speaker swears he will call black beautiful and declare only his beloved's color lovely while all others remain ugly. He admits his conscience does not trouble him when he calls this feeling love, even as his passion rises and falls. Fear grips him that his beloved might weep, and even faith might steal such a precious prize. Until Justice resurrects both of them, his beloved lives here and dwells within lovers' gazes. Nature has preserved this person as an example to teach false Art about former beauty. The poet warns his love to guard against their own privileges, since clumsy hands can dull the sharpest blade. His beloved will find their monument when tyrants' crests and bronze tombs lose their brightness.
Genres: classic-literature, romance, historical-fiction, poetry
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: immortality, love-story
102 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform