Shakespeare(2018) Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If Shakespeare were alive today.
The likelihood he would be revered,
As one of the greatest writers to have lived.
Would be zilch. Zero. Nada. Nope. Zip.
Shakespeare would today be censored.
Shakespeare today,
Would be ostracized by those pretentious.
And the name Shakespeare.
Would not be historically documented to appear.

If Shakespeare were alive today.
He may be running from a polar bear.
Chased into an igloo to escape the Artic cold.
Or in Siberia digging a hole through ice,
Fishing to wish for a nibble on a pole.

If Shakespeare were alive today.
And staged his plays in cynical ways.
Mocking to portray politicians as nitwits.
With religious fanatics paying them visits.
And deceiving the truth to those deluded.
Shakespeare would be hunted like a fugitive.
An enemy of the people.
In denial and outraged.
If Shakespeare were alive today.
He would be branded as an obstructionist.
And not loved at all by those corrupted.
In positions of leadership.
Picked and elected by their constituents.
Who believe everything they say.
While worshipping a treason to accept.
As their disappearing quality of life downslides.