Four hundred and twenty-eight years
To the day
After the birth of Shakespeare,
A woman no less virtuous and kind
Than Desdemona –
But much more wise –
Brought forth a baby girl.
And whilst with infinite courage
She performed the final act
In this greatest mystery –
The procreation of Life –
For ten dramatic minutes
To her generally morbid husband
Time stood still.
Jerusalem
24 April 1992