by Gregg Rowe
To disclose or not to disclose -- that is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to be a spokesperson
Or to remain anonymous, or a student, or an individual
Ah! the in-decisions, to be singled out of thousands
For the knowledge that I hold or want to withhold
To remain distant for the experiences of having the experiences
Shared with me. The opposing decisions of the in-decisions
But to die, to sleep, a sleep that says I have ended
With the coffin lid closing for the very last time. -- To die, to sleep
A finale to the life and the knowledge and the experiences I possess
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
My knowledge is the heir, the consumption
Of my life devoutly to be shared with the younger generation
The responsibility of being a teacher -- to die, to sleep
Perchance to dream. Aye, there's the rule
For in my sleep of death what dreams may come?
The chance of being just a student, to turn back time
To live again before the cloak of death knocked at my door
Reminding me of my mortality, giving me pause
Ah! There's the respect, the advancement of the student
To the teacher breaks the calamity of my existence
That extended my mortality, For I have bared
The whips and scorns of society, the oppressor's wrong
A proud Irish/Scotsman hit with contumely, the pings and pangs
Of a family's despised love, the Catholic law's delay
The insolence's of a politician's office, and the spurns
From the public, To be tossed into the openness of the public
To be a spokesperson with a disease much hated, when I,
Myself might have lived quietly for a short period of time
In peace. Yet I choose to grunt and sweat with my weary life
To make a difference to help others. What a choice!
To carry the burdens with me to my final grave
Yet I choose no release upon myself for my difficulties
And continued to carry the double burden upon my weary shoulders
Drank life to the lei because I accepted Death
'For I did not dread anything after death, just a continuum of my existence
My temple, the body of a undiscovered country from where no traveller returns
Yet in my very existence I dream today,
That my conscious did not make me a coward of myself
Ah, to dream, to sleep, perchance to dream
No more
That coffin lid will need to stay open for a few more years
The student is no longer a student but a teacher of life
I must live, I must share today, I must be positive
Author notes
This is my journey accepting my death and what I would leave behind as a pauperous writer for my legacy.
Hamlet's soliquay in the 21st century.
Commented on Time
by kracked-kid
Written December 10th, 2001
In a list
A contest entry
- Silently Screaming by ShatteredHope89.
300 points, ended May 25, 2005, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rich Words and Strong Emotions by thankful4theSuNsEt.
600 points, ended December 31, 2006, 32 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Becoming That Kind Of Person by Suberu14.
300 points, ended December 23, 2006, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Make this THE largest Contest EVER on AP [enter, enter, enter!] by Symphony.
18000 points, ended April 28, 1014 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 48 of 48
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awesome, and very provocative! your word choice and form was excellent...this most certainly is hamlet's soliloquy of the 21st century.
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First of all, I want to spend a few minutes and stand in silent awe... To be able to re-write shakespear to such a degree of perfection is a rare gift indeed. I'm deeply deeply impressed.
Also, regarding the subject matter, I like the way you have come to submit to mortalily, you do not fear it but rather accept it and choose to make the utmost best of the time you have, and personally I think we should all take a page out of your book, since one day or another, we all have to face the same fate. Another thing is that I think there is a fine line between student and teacher. Personally I don't think there is anyone who is not going to leave anything behind, even without effort, but you are right in considering this, as it is a man's heratige that makes him immortal. I hope I've seen this poem in the light you inteded, because it is purely a masterpiece, well done. -
~Smidge~ You do not know how much the gold trophy for this poem means to me after three years of rewriting and edits. I actually never did expect to win but from the bottom of my heart I applaud you for your choice because as host of contests and looking at some of the entries here I was up against tough competition. I humbly thank you. Gregg
Edited on Jan 16, 1:52 p.m. because ''. -
Wow. First off, I'd like to say that Hamlet is wonderful, and this was a marvelous adaptation! I like the fact that you've changed the entire purpose of this soliloqy to suit your own purpose. A brilliant write, really. I must have read this ten times, carefully thinking over each line. You've definitely gone above and beyond anything I could have hoped to read in this contest. Thank you for entering, and the best of luck to you in this.
~Smidge~ 
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Mellilot: I am sorry you missed the message in this poem, unlike Hamlet I was not contemplating suicide since I have already accepted my mortality. What I was questioning during this process was what I would leave behind as my heritage. Would I remain a student and be quiet with the knowledge I have accumulated or become a teacher for our youth and disseminate the information and knowledge that I have accumulated over the years about a chronic illness. In the end, I have accepted my mortality and have basically told Death to go and knock on another door because I am not ready to go yet. I think the twist on speaking about life contradicts Hamlet's speech about suicide and gives hope to the reader. The last line is an intentional pun on my HIV-positive status I have been living with for the past twenty years. Gregg
Edited on Aug 19, 10:34 p.m. because ''. -
So... I wasn't sure which option this came under... I like the way you've interwoven the sentiments expressed by shakespeare through Hamlet in this speach on what seems to be your entire life. And also the way that you mutate what he says ever so slightly to fit... You mix things about a bit as well and so seem to miss something of the climax- of the inevitability that Hamlet's thoughts take in this speach. When Hamlet spoke it you felt he was using uncoloured logic- though upon reflection you know it was coloured by depression and rejection. When you speak it, it seems more biased, almost as though you are convincing yourself of a path you've already chosen. As such it lacks impact, seems week even- which Hamlet never really was, despite what he said.
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wow. tremendous write! great tribute. applause.
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excellent
Gregg,Again you have left me with a loss of words.A beautiful piece.The part that said that your coffin lid would need to stay open for a few more years just hit my heart this morn.Good luck in the contest.
Jacki
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Get better my friend, we all want you back with us for a lot more years yet, we are not giving up on you, hope my angels are looking after you, they have strict instructions from me to take good care of you and you know I am there with you, by your side I stay.love you Joan
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thank you Hugh for your prayers for Gregg and thank your friend for sending you to him, he's a wonderful man and needs our prayers. I have become very fond of him and want him to get well enough to come back to us~lovesya~Joan
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Dear Gregg,
You don't know me and, until last night, I didn't know you either. But all this has changed because a very dear AP friend asked me to pray for you in the coming days. I am chaplain of Masonic Lodge Brighton (NZ) No.236 and, amazingly, find that much of my prayer works better than much of my poetry does!!
That, I believe, is by the Grace of God.
I have read your home page, I see your face, I have your email address and of course, your real name. These are the qualifications I require to enlist an AP poet amongst my
favourites which I am taking the liberty of so doing.
I usually write an acrostic to welcome each new fave but in your circumstances I shall write a prayer for you in which I shall ask others to join me. I hope that this intrusion will be
acceptable to you as I hope the coming surgical intrusion will be successful. I look forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes, regards and love. Hugh Wyles. -
I like what you've done with one of my favorite of Shakespeare's passages... Very nicely done.
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great write...great use of words...it flowed well...it is nice to hear also that u choose to live....take care...keep up the good work
dark search
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Great writing. I especially like the shakespear theme. I love the finally stanza "... That Coffin lid will need to stay open for a few more years..." A perfect image to end this poem with. Thanx for entering my contest, and good luck.
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This piece consumed for three years of writing, putting it aside, going back to it and now I classified this as finished to the best of my abilities as a poet.
Cooment on: To Disclose or Not To Disclose
Edited on Apr 28, 9:46 p.m. because ''. -
I am a HUGE fan of shakespeare and hamlet in pirticular ans this sililoquie in pirticular as well. (ok so i cant spell worth a damn) and i am SO impressed by your version. especially the third stanza. i like how it has sort of ah happy resolve at the end. i once re wrote this entire speech, in iambic pentameter, for a sort of parody thing i was writing and DAMN it wasnt half as good as this one and ill bet it took me much longer. i will have to return and readmore of your stuff. but i think your poetry might deserve a fresher eye than say.. mine at 2 am.
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I humbly thank you sir for your generous words regarding this piece.
Edited on Apr 28, 2:19 because ''. -
There has to be something said about the remarkable Hamlet and the tragedy of that character. Vise versa there has to be something said of Gregg Rowe who can turn this amazing bit of Shakespeare into something quite different without losing any of its power and glory on either is technical or emotional base. That takes some nuts and some skill to do that successfully. There would be many a writer on this site who would attempt that and would sink gasping into a stagnant quagmire of words. This is everything it is meant to me and more and quite frankly it makes for a stunning read.
David -
This is great Gregg. Right up my alley with the shakespeare allusion. I really like the message of learning from people and passing it on, being both a teacher and a student. A wonderful read.
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Absolutely amazing.
I think it's all been said in previous comment so I'll just leave it at that.
Good luck to you
Kyla -
Greg, your words are so powerful and filled with love and determination for life and the sharing of your knowledge. You are an astounding person..and I stand in awe of you and what you portray and acheive with your poems.
Thia write is perfect and to use the form of one of the great masters is a compliment in itself.
My best wishes go to you in all you endeavour and acheive.
Ann
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This is an astoundingly good write, Gregg. It reminds me of some of the essays I've written; although, some call them poems but poetry, at the time, was not my intent. You're a deep thinker and that, too, we have in common.
Well done, poet! Love and hugs, BonnieQ
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Cool how you adapt Shakespeare. I love how you end with the word "positive," which is a hugely meaning-packed word when considered in terms of the subject.
Teach on.
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Thank you for picking up on that 'typo'. I don't know how many times I have read this and not noticed that small typo so thank you very much for picking up on it...
Edited on Apr 08, 8:11 because ''. -
brilliant
This is indeed very well conveyed of the thought process of a person who will be treated differently so they must hold the secret within themselves.
Your last stanza may have a typo - the student is "no" longer a student?
Ah, to dream, to sleep, perchance to dream
No more
That coffin lid will need to stay open for a few more years
The student is not longer a student but a teacher of life
I must live, I must share today, I must be positive
This is a brilliant piece and one to be proud of for sure! Bravo!
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i found this to hold true to the original. and thanks for stopping by my little corner of this crazy planet.
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Gregg, I have sat here for the last 30 minutes or so reading your beautiful writes and crying from the depths within me. Your writing and powerful emotion is utterly amazing and I am awed. It would seem to me you should deserve a standing ovation. The inspiration that flows out of you through your pain have left me almost speechless. You are absolutely amazing both as a writer and a human being. From the depth of the darkness in my heart I send a ray of sun shine to you, may it forever shine upon your soul. J. Frances
Edited on Apr 03, 1:22 because 'misspellings'. -
Wow gregg. This one has me in tears. I am staring at this poem, and only word that come to my mind is wow. I mean the wisdom that you share with us. The legacy that you have been forging with being a spokesperson and writing these awesome poems that you use for theraphy. To me from what I read of your work so far, this is my opinion mine you you are the modern Shakespeare. I don't mean that title disrepectly at all. You have testified that life is worth living no matter the blades that are thrown in your shoulders. You have made lemonade with the lemons served you. I mean. I better stop rambling, because it just makes me cry more. Great Write mi padre.
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Lord of the Rings~
Your heart does sing
The love you bring
Knows no boundaries
With all your offering
And humbly accepting
Positively reflecting
While society continues dissecting
Your alwasy appreciating
With your words of wisdom
And strength within
YOU~My friend
big hugs and much love~Desire
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An epic write that exubes the forces of a heart that needs a gentle healing touch. So much reality displayed here. My heart has skipped several beats in favor of just a simple hug for you. It is not sympathy that I wish to give, just love. You are a strong, vibrant, beautiful inspiration, and I am honored to be in your company. This poem is astounding. Sad, triumphant, and totally mezmerizing. I am glad to have had the pleasure to read this as one of my first attempts to peek into your world. Exquisite!
Much Love,
Renee
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I would never in my dreams want to offend the great Bard when I write, I have too much respect for his work...yet, writers can use his form as a stepping stone to reach a higher plateau in their writing and he would be smiling that we consider him to be a mentor to our own writing. I am a firm believer that Shakespeare also had help in his writings (Christopher Marlowe was one of his students), and that he was not alone in his penning of his works, so he would not mind if we followed his examples of writing...after all he was also a teacher of the art. Thanks for visiting my library and leaving your insightful comments. (And could someone please explain to me how you can applaud comments, I receive applauds for some of my comments and wish to applaud others but have not yet figured it out).
Edited on Mar 30, 11:38 because 'Spelling and clarification on a few facts'. -
i could sit here and take offends to what you did shakespeare's work...but, what you "did"....brilliant...i mean just ingenius! i loved it to bits!
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Very cool use of shakespeare to share your message...
But what is the answer? Ok, you don't really have to answer that..but I like the poem, very creative way of asking the questions too many don't bother to.
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Lovely writing. I do so appreciate the polish you put to it. (I checked out your home page also- very impressive.)
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Thank you for your comment on my poem and now I am off to return the favor...
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This is an amazing piece of writing, a very brave and informative piece of writing. You mention in your writing the choices facing you, you should be proud of yourself for the choice you have made. An exceptional piece of writing, which will still be going around in my mind for some time. Well done, BRAVO!!! I wish you well as you face each day. ~Katie~
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This is an amazing piece of writing, a very brave and informative piece of writing. You mention in your writing the choices facing you, you should be proud of yourself for the choice you have made. An exceptional piece of writing, which will still be going around in my mind for some time. Well done, BRAVO!!! I wish you well as you face each day. ~Katie~
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Well, Liz, I don't have to summarize the thoughts up on this one, you have read the poem justhow I composed it...and yes, difficult decision at times to make, but at least I know that I have tried to better the world with my existence
Edited on Mar 29, 9:49 because ''. -
have been sitting here for at least ten minutes now gregg
thinking about what you have written
internalizing much of it
since i have read the information on your author page
i believe i understand the background of this piece
which makes it all the more impactful
facing our own mortality is the great awakening
so then, it is up to us to make a choice
do we go out quietly and let others educate
or do we educate, and let others go out quietly.
a touch choice...bravo to you for making the latter
a montreal ovation on this one!
~liz -
Great Job!
Excellent work, thanks again for entering!
I applaud you!
-Timothy -
I am simply awed time and again how you create such a deep and vivid picture to think about with your words. There are so many reasons for each of us to go on even when it seems as if there are none. You have found a calling, to shed light on many things that are ignored and overlooked by too many as "life" when indeed, life plays unfair tricks on us all, and enlightenment through teachings of one as wise as I believe you are may give to so many the answer to their callings as well. A wonderful write and very well written. ~geniealssie~
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Amazing !
First I like you name, lol
I am truly touched by your poem, I find it really really deep and beautiful.
I liked it so much that I'd like to ask you something, would you agree to post it in this site : http://flightsoffaithy.proboards20.com/index.cgi
It's a site of a friend of mine, with a part on writing & particulary poetry. I would feel honored if you accepted to post it there too, coz it's really an amazing piece. If you don't want to it's ok, I understand & I wanted to say that I really like this poem. You seem to be very wise.
Edited on Mar 22, 11:05 because ''. -
It is amazing what the mind can conjure and the heart will believe when we focus on the positive images...we can overcome most anything if we have that ability. Bravo to you for using what you have and what you know to "teach" others. You have a gift to offer...
Crit:
"...To remain distance for the experiences of having the experiences..." Did you mean...to remain "distanced" or possibly "distant"?
"...A finale to the life and the knowledge and the experiences I posses..." typo on "posses"..."possess"
UB
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Wonderful Parody
Haaha.. that's pretty awesomely written.. Great Shakespearian parody..
O! The pains of being a teacher must be great,
But you seem to be able to handle them well,
Keep writing these wonderful poems,
And we shall remember them all unto our coffin lid.
Good write! -
Hi Aimee
Thanks for the big welcome on my frontpage, the first will never be deleted...I wasn't too sure if this one qualified or not, but my poetry just festers in my head and then I have to release it...if you wish, after the contest I will post my Author's Notes on the history of this one. I left them out because I wanted to enter the poem on its individual merits as a piece of art first.
Edited on Mar 21, 2:13 because 'spelling, as usual lol'. -
Kept me reading this one too, I just couldn't budge.
I agree...it's different than the rest, which makes it
even better I love how you turned this into a form
of "teaching" others, through your words of pain and struggle.
I commend you for this write..and thank you for entering.
Best of luck to you.
~Aimee
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Thank you Timothy for this comment on what is a very personal poem, but yet a poem to be shared and learned from, the purpose of my writing.
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Well, you captivated me throughout this piece, a bit different from the rest, I like your take on the song lyrical piece provided in the contest, lots of emotions within the struggle of life, and you fight to stay above water, learning so that one day as it may, you find yourself the teacher... Very interesting, and I want to take this time to thank you for entering this contest, you did a great job, and I wish you well!
Timothy/The Poetic Weaver
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