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Shakespeare’s Sonnet, # 44

an interpretation

If the dull substance of my flesh were thought,
If I were able to project my flesh bound consciousness

into a luminous, thought responsive, ethereal body,

Injurious distance would not bar my way;
We would no longer suffer the pain of separation;

For then despite of space I would be brought,
I could be with you regardless of distance,

To limits far remote where thou dost stay.

I could be wherever you are.

No matter that my foot did stand
Upon the farthest earth removed from thee;

Distance is not a reality on the ethereal plane;

For nimble thought can jump both sea and land
thoughts have no geographical boundaries

As soon as think the place where thou might be
I’d need only think of you to be with you

But ah, thought kills me that I am not thought
I am painfully aware I cannot liberate myself from my physical body

To leap large lengths of miles where thou hast gone
I am unable to enjoy your injuriously distant presence

But that so much of earth and water wrought
while bearing the cumbersome restrictions of this earth plane

I must attend times leisure with my moan
I must pass the lingering time away from you in sorrowful longing

Receiving naught form elements so slow
immediate gratification is not possible as long as I remain bound to my physical body

But heavy tears badge of either’s woe
inconsolable sorrow reassures us of the sincerity of our mutual affection

By Paul Martin 3/12/2008
Shakespeare’s Sonnet # 44 www.MyPrayers.net

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