The 7+ Ages of Woman

All the worlds a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances.

One woman in her time plays many parts,

Her acts being more than seven ages.

The twinkle in the fond grandmother’s eye

The infant, smiling in the nurse’s arms;

Schooled, with a giggling gaggle of girls;

The lover, sexting her forever? love.

Fending off, or not, #me too advances.

The wedding planned, triumphantly be-ringed

The wife, buxom and bonny in bed and at board;

Object of jealousy, maybe abused;

Loving mother, touched by loss and grief;

Love found and lost and found again so late

Nearing the end with wisdom, love and care

But now as always absolute woman.

A celebration of Woman today in words and music from Shakespeare, selected and directed by Hazel Salisbury