The Hamlet Project

This is one of those phrases that just slides past in conversation.
Its identity as a phrase – as a complete idea – almost masking the words in it.
Its rhythm saying as much as its content.
It’s only now that I’m looking at the words on the page, pulled out from all context,
That I recognize what “means” is meaning.
Hamlet shouldn’t follow his father in any way.
He should not follow him on his feet
He should not follow him on his seat
He should not follow on a boat
He shouldn’t follow with a goat
He shouldn’t follow on a floe
He should not, should not, should not go.