On April 23 of this coming year,
Wiliam Shakespeare will celebrate
his 450th birthday, a momentous occasion
to be certain, but knowing how cantankerous
he can be the odds of him showing up
at the party I want to throw for him are
about as slim as the odds of Bob Dylan
ever sitting down on the edge of the stage
wherever he happens to be performing,
and just engage with the audience
in a free-ranging conversation, so perhaps
this year I will skip the elaborate cake
and just lift a glass to the Bard, what
do you think of that approach Horatio?
And if old Willy does just happen
to make an appearance, I can always
run over to Fresh Market for they
always have elegant cakes waiting
in their bakery, and fine wines as well.
But if, again, he doesn’t show, be certain
next year, for just another birthday
I won’t be bothering with any party
so please do not expect an invitation.

First Published in Literary Odyssey Magazine, Issue 2, March 2024
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