Even Shakespeare Knew, a Mesostic Poem – Wilda Morris

Who will believe thee, Isabel? ~ Angelo in Measure for Measure, by William Shakespeare

                        It is the fate of Woman
                		                                          tHat few blame a man
		                                                 if One seduces her.
 
                                                                                When her belly expands
                         even due to rape, It’s true—
some say she tempted the Lout
                                                        untiL he gave in.
 
                   She may report him, But may
                         want to hidE
                                              from ugLy words,
              protect her reputatIon
                               from attack by thosE who always
                                                  say how aVidly a woman
                              will chasE
 
                                                                             and Try her Adam. A woman
   		                           wHo
                                                         aspirEs to do good
                                                                  Each day, and
 
                                                                     lIve contentedly.
                                               What then Should she do?
                                                                    WhAt would you do—
          	               turn your Back,
                                    on hEr
                                                                                    or Listen and give her justice?

Wilda Morris, Workshop Chair of Poets and Patrons of Chicago and a past President of the Illinois State Poetry Society, has published numerous poems in anthologies, webzines, and print publications. She has published two books of poetry, Szechwan Shrimp and Fortune Cookies: Poems from a Chinese Restaurant (RWG Press) and Pequod Poems: Gamming with Moby-Dick (Kelsay Books). Her current projects are a book of poems riffing off science facts and theories, and a collection of poems playing with Shakespeare’s words. Wilda’s grandchildren say she lives in a library. Her poetry blog at wildamorris.blogspot.com features a monthly poetry contest.

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