Sweet William, Poison Ivy

Sweet William, Poison Ivy

Homer's mythic Penelope is a rose,
with thorns for deceivers.
Begin with her,
whose approximates are everywhere esteemed.

Machiavelli's mythic Prince is a sumac
with poisonous attributes.
Continue with him,
whose adherents are everywhere suspect.

Goethe's mythic Werther is an aspen,
quivering with every breeze.
Include him,
whose sorrows are everywhere familiar.

Here too are honeysuckle,
crab grass,
Spanish moss,
morning glory.