“Everyday one should at least hear one little song, read one good poem, see one fine painting, and —if at all possible—speak a few sensible words.”~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are grey.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please, don’t take my sunshine away.

If you like the singer Rufus Wainright and if you like the Keira Knightley/Matthew Macfadyen version of Pride and Prejudice, I found this video in which they are paired with Wainright singing a lyrical version of Sonnet 29. I prefer Emma Thompson for my Elizabeth and the very handsome Colin Firth as Darcy, but this video has some smoldering looks and and chemistry that go well with the sonnet.

And here we have Mr. Macfayden reciting SOnnet 29 in a modern setting:

Drama Daughter thought this one was ridiculous, but I rather liked it.

Here’s a lesson plan for teaching some of Shakespeare’s sonnets, including Sonnet 29.

Enjoy today’s poem, and be thankful, especially if you have someone to love and someone who loves you.