Was Is Not Is Poem by gershon hepner

“Was is not is, ” says Celia
in “As You like It; ” it is said
by girls whose hearts are steelier
than when they let you in their bed.

“Was in love with you, ” they say
“doesn’t mean that I still am; ” ‘As
You Like It’ doesn’t mean I may
invite you when you’re out of gas.”

Inspired after a performance of “As You Like It” at the Theatrum Botanicum in Topganga, and written at the Inn of the Seventh Ray.

8/3/08