Now this is more than the twice-told tale
Each generation swears is new.
The one about the two star-crossed lovers;
who were or were not meant to meet
or fall in love, as lovers do
Against their families’ wishes.
It’s banal as dirty dishes,
Stale as month-old stew:
We know there’s nothing new.
But add that one ingredient, that secret spice,
Of class or race or family,
Of origins or space,
And suddenly we have high drama, from a plot untimed.
Now Romeo loved Juliet, and Juliet loved him fair,
Tony blinded Maria’s eyes, and she gave him her word,
And Tristan had the love of Isolde — such a noble pair.
And the love of Caesar for Cleopatra,
Well that did change the world.