[Christy Reno]

Provide an analysis of your favorite poem written by someone other than yourself--preferrably one that is published somewhere. Pay special attention to why the poem works as a poem.

[Frank Hubeny]

If you are at Powell's bookstore near the University of Chicago and need to go to the bathroom, you ask for the key, and if no one else has it, you may enter a small, dark area with a toilet and sink and a very high ceiling where both men and women have sat and scribbled their graffiti on the wall. Among the writing is a neatly printed poem credited to Tanith Lee. It was my introduction to her which led me to her collection of short stores Red as Blood, or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer.

The untitled poem on the wall starts out as "A rose by any other name would get the blame for being what it is...." Read it if you like.

Why does it "work"? The rhyme is haunting. The ideas are haunting. It is very simple. And there is nothing about it that one can imitate that would necessarily make it work again.

[Thomas Newton]

Several years ago when I was a member of The Poetry Society of Texas, I received their monthly journal and in it was the following poem:

To Mona Lisa

I’ve seen that smile on other faces,
I know your secret. You’re wearing braces.

I am so sorry that I can’t remember the name of the author, but I can’t get the poem out of my mind.

[Paul Lake]

Frank,

I like the poem by Tanith Lee but think she should have ended it as I have below, cutting the last half, which is looser, a bit sentimental perhaps, and less satisfying.

A rose by any other name
Would get the blame
For being what it is -
The colour of a kiss,
The shadow of a flame.

[Frank Hubeny]

Yes. Tanith Lee is a little mushy, Paul. However, I have read it many times now, since I always seem to need to use that bathroom.

I recommend Red as Blood. She has a wicked side as well.