NURSE

My joy, my life, well-a-day, my all-the-world.

Juliet my lamb, and Susan my ladybird.

My joy had its conception at thy birth.

My sufferance made. Each pang almost a death

Until my Susan suckling, struggling to nurse,

Like an earthquake shuddering for breath,

An earthquake shaking, taken from my breast.

Juliet born that very hour.

My daughter laid in linen, Julie set in silk

Until my Susan, taken by a higher power,

By an earthquake, howling for milk,

An earthquake shaking, taking what it will.

I’ve felt the many quirks of joy and grief,

I’ve learned how turns the world without relief,

How lambs run and ladybirds fly,

And I rock myself to this lullaby:

Comfort is the dream that wakes,

The heart is the bough that breaks,

The earth is solid ‘til it quakes,

And joys are built on choices that we make.

Now Juliet, my only, not my own

My penance paid - ccept and carry on

Until the past is all that leaves you less alone,

Until the earthquake, dragging us along,

An earthquake shaking, taking ‘til ‘tis gone

You take what fate you’re given, and move on.

R O M E O & J U L I E T