Humble Pie
You'll need a healthy serving
Every writer since Shakespeare has to eat humble pie.
When I see this man's vision, his universal scope
Really, how's it possible to compete with this guy?
*
To borrow or not to borrow, I beseech the sky.
This, above all, to my own self be true: that's my hope!
Every writer since Shakespeare has to eat humble pie.
*
The beauty of the world. The paragon of me. Sigh!
Yes, yes. I know. Brevity is the soul of wit. Nope!
Really, how's it possible to compete with this guy?
*
What is this quintessence of dust? In words, I rely.
Alas, I'm sliding down a befuddling, slippery slope.
Every writer since Shakespeare has to eat humble pie.
*
I've suffered slings and arrows... oh to sleep, oh to die.
Highly recommend hanging from a noose made of rope.
Really, how's it possible to compete with this guy?
*
Now, my ladies, my happy gents, I bid thee goodbye.
No matter how I try, and try I must, I shan't cope.
Every writer since Shakespeare has to eat humble pie.
Really, how's it possible to compete with this guy?
About the Creator
PK Colleran
I love words and their power to enrich our lives.
Editor of bilingual poetry collection Landscape of the Soul by Hipólito Sánchez, published by Cafh Foundation.
Translator of Living Consciously and Words Matter, by Jorge Waxemberg.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (22)
Awesome Villanelle!!! Brilliantly written!!!💕❤️❤️
Congrats on Top story!
Oh this is just awesome. I can so see why it got Top Story! It's so true - Billy did his thing and we've all been eating humble pie since, lol!
Kudos for your effort! Keep up the exceptional work—congratulations!
Humble pie just got YOU TOP STORY on vocal. 😊 Congratulations. 🎊 I really enjoy your writings. I look forward to reading more In twenty twenty four!
Beautifully penned, gorgeous tribute to greatness. I curtsy and say huzzah!!!
A fitting tribute to the great bard and a fantastic villanelle to boot. Yep, we don't compare really. Never will. Humble pie will always be on the menu.
I have been overfed... ;)
Well done on your T.S.! Smashing tribute. Our language is richer for his works 😁
Congrats on the wonderful TS
I love how, on the surface, it feels as though this poem is about competing with Shakespeare but can really be about competing with any given writer that we are jealous of. It’s a very universal poem with a universal feeling to it. Congrats on the Top Story!
And this is why he is one of the greats. You don't get that title without earning it. Congratulations
Great Villanelle!
True words PK. As Goethe said: thou shalt not covet the stars. Some things can only ever be reverred. ❤️
This was so good! Well done!
Excellent work
This is fabulous. I was smiling from the first line all the way through. Well done.
This was such a nice, amusing piece. Well done capturing the Shakespearian voice with each line.
What a wonderful tribute to Shakespeare! Loved your poem!
Yes! I agree… he was pure genius and would be proud of this poem. It even feels Shakespearean. Well done!
Absolutely awesome job on this, PK and an excellent subject!
Interesting outlook