upon a shot that lit the roof alight June 29, 1613
The cannon cracked—too loud for stagecraft's game,
Its echo swallowed jest and breath alike;
That spark, unmeant, leapt high to catch the flame,
Where thatch stood dry as tinder, ripe to strike.
The players froze mid-line, their throats gone tight,
Eyes tilted up where straw betrayed its role.
A murmur passed like weather through the night—
Then chaos surged like fire without a soul.
The boards we loved gave way beneath our feet,
The pit grew hot as panic took the floor.
No speech could mask the gallows of that heat—
Just ash and shouting pouring through the door.
The globe, she burned—but left a ghost behind,
In every line we’d yet to speak or find.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline)
- Published: June 30th, 2025 03:22
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 25
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy
Comments10
A dramatisation in the form of Shakespearean sonnet that is somewhat theatrical exploring the events, implications, and anticipations of the June 30th, 1613, fire that destroys William Shakespeare’s beloved Globe Theatre during a performance of Henry VIII when cannon shots set fire to its thatched roof.
Way cool!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Very appropriate yesterday being the anniversary of the fire that burnt the Globe Shakespeare's theater. Well written in poetic form. Cheers
Thanks Soren, I know it won’t impress WS himself but it was worth the effort and enjoyment🙏🏻🕊️
Quite a tragedy and quite a poem recording the event. That was when he said "Now is the Winter of our discontent". A thoughtful poem.I really enjoyed reading this compadre
Thanks for sharing his quote, that rounded up and completed the post superbly🙏🏻🕊️
Some say there are many ghosts, lovely write out of a tradegy, enjoyed the read
Oh that would be a nice take for a separate poem on the incident! Quite the tragedy, indeed. Thanks friend🕊️🙏🏻
You are very welcome
One cannot be everywhere at once - I'm always open to new history. Plese keep them up, mate - especially when you can relay them with your inspired poetic lines.
Thanks mate. The interesting tidbits is what got me through history classes back in school days and uni. Else, the material would be dry and overly burdensome. I am quite happy to have historical angles in poems, that's been a little game over the years to mix it up a bit as well.
Thanks mate. The interesting tidbits is what got me through history classes back in school days and uni. Else, the material would be dry and overly burdensome. I am quite happy to have historical angles in poems, that's been a little game over the years to mix it up a bit as well.
Thanks mate. The interesting tidbits is what got me through history classes back in school days and uni. Else, the material would be dry and overly burdensome. I am quite happy to have historical angles in poems, that's been a little game over the years to mix it up a bit as well.
Thanks mate. The interesting tidbits is what got me through history classes back in school days and uni. Else, the material would be dry and overly burdensome. I am quite happy to have historical angles in poems, that's been a little game over the years to mix it up a bit as well.
Keyboard got stuck lol
Ah, yes. Happy? Anniversary! A wonderful poem that captures it. 🌹👏
Yeah, the jury might be out on that happiness thing, perhaps even hung. Perhaps something to look further into... like a cold case investigation... mmm...🕊️🙏🏻
LOL! Now, that sounds very intriguing!
Could be… guess will have to wait and see 🕊️🙏🏻
Guess so!
Wow. Just WOW. Flowing with a delicious rhythm waltzing down the page chock-full of superb imagery, what a ghastly, haunting poignancy yawns! Fascinating and excellently rendered. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome write
Fine Poem on a Tragic event. If only the Original were still here.
Fine words arqios. Shakespeare was rammed down my throat when I was at school!
Andy
Same here, Andy that's why it's taken me 50 odd years to find peace and a neutral ground on which to meet him properly. Shows you how much school can make or undo you. Thanks for sharing this with me. 🕊️🙏🏻
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