For Tal (3)
Even if your birthday weren’t the same
As William Shakespeare’s – greatest bard,
Or two days later (bless her name!)
Than Good Queen Bess’s, I’d regard
You nobler than Cordelia,
More fine than Pericles’s gal;
Nor Imogen, nor Pérdita
Was dearer than my Princess Tal.
Jerusalem
23 April 2006