Titania and Oberon Are Characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This little poem series brings Shakespeare’s characters into a modern setting.
1
Titania’s Garden
He’s had his way—
long winter, Oberon’s
pinch. The air piercing
time. And again.
No one would think
to look
in the frozen dirt
for anything worth tasting.
But there they are.
Sage. Lavender. Thyme.
Parsley and her rosemary
attendant. Even the tender dill
survives.
Jostaberry! Bee Balm! Go now.
Set the table with the white plates
he neglected to take.
2
Titania’s Vow
It is tempting
in the spring—to count
the losses.
Lingonberry
which promised
to persist through
any weather.
Butterfly weed
whose clusters
draw the monarch,
feed the young.
The new currant
meant to capture,
once again,
those tart-sweet mornings!
Now the rains uncover and uncover.
By April, cruellest month,
I will turn to see beginnings
of what has survived:
Sage, thyme, shiso,
my daughter’s birthday rose.
Parsley, lavender, rosemary.
Blueberries in the back yard.
Blackberries (four varieties).
The split maple grown tall—so tall—
And enough mint
to make Moroccan tea
all summer,
for anyone
who happens by.
Even my ailing Oberon.
3
What Oberon Forgot
(Or Never Knew)
In sleep,
I dream.
4
To Titania:
Instructions for Waking
Fall asleep
near the borage—
blue flower like a lantern;
float its fur-like leaves
in your tea.
Don’t mind
the donkey
nibbling near.
Dreams can be like that.
Letting the fool
close enough to the slowed heart
to wake us to what had managed to be
—till now—
so softly unclear.
5
Titania Opens the Back Door in an April Snow
Oh, green spears,
violet sun cups!
6
Titania Near
the Rose of Sharon
Amber-backed
bumble bee, how light
your heart seems
as you fumble through flower
after flower, your golden
loot packed so thick
you can hardly
carry more. Still, you wing
into the day. Not caring.
It’s the nectar
you’re after.
Keep going, little darling.
I will stand watch
as you make
your way.
Poem series by L.L. Barkat, in response to prompts from The Poetry of Resilience: Voices of Nature, with Danusha Laméris and James Crews. Photos by L.L. Barkat.
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