Deeper than Mercutio’s Well

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

When love has shallows, think about the hope

Of depths.  They matter more and we can find

Them if we wait.  The shores of phalarope

And wading were not made for us.  The blind

Alone don’t see this.  Maybe even they

Perceive this, using Braille inscribed on hearts.

Discouragers we need to stop with nae,

That little Scottish word.  Love’s knowledge starts

When nae is spoken.  Lovers leap past no.

They leap.  They plunge.  They dive to chasms filled

With meaning truer than the harshest woe.

All other meanings are like whiskey spilled.

  Ignore the shallows.  Step well past them to

    The depths of Juliet and Montague.

~ Phillip Whidden