Another Name
by Arianna Schifman '21
Today in class we read Shakespeare
He knew what he wrote, about love and the fear
And the energy, the strength, the adrenaline hit
As much as part of me loathes to admit it
But Shakespeare says there’s no meaning in a lover’s name
A name holds no part in what sweet lovers are.
When I read these words they seem so false as to be lies,
It seems he knew a very different breed of love than I.
I think if I could say your name that I could say I love you
I think if I could say your name that I’d be brave enough to show you
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
But only one wins you that scent from any merchant on the street.
If I could write poem of the finest woven phrases
Could you sense the slightest how what’s within me blazes
Could you read your name without me typing in a letter
Could I write you something that would signify you better
Something greater than your name that plays an even greater part
Something more than what your parents gave you holds tighter to your heart
But if it exists could I be the one to find the depths it hides in?
Does one offer it with love, some prize good lovers win?
A dilemma lies before me that seems to lie eternal
For what is you is yours and not at the mercy of the world external
I dare not ask of you something that I’d imagine’d make me own you
But if you ever asked any part of me as much as I could give you would be true.
The tragic truth I think I live in makes one thing clear
Your name is what I have you that’ll always be most dear
For those of us not blessed by angels to live within your soul
Your name’s the closest thing to you that could ever make us whole.
He knew what he wrote, about love and the fear
And the energy, the strength, the adrenaline hit
As much as part of me loathes to admit it
But Shakespeare says there’s no meaning in a lover’s name
A name holds no part in what sweet lovers are.
When I read these words they seem so false as to be lies,
It seems he knew a very different breed of love than I.
I think if I could say your name that I could say I love you
I think if I could say your name that I’d be brave enough to show you
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
But only one wins you that scent from any merchant on the street.
If I could write poem of the finest woven phrases
Could you sense the slightest how what’s within me blazes
Could you read your name without me typing in a letter
Could I write you something that would signify you better
Something greater than your name that plays an even greater part
Something more than what your parents gave you holds tighter to your heart
But if it exists could I be the one to find the depths it hides in?
Does one offer it with love, some prize good lovers win?
A dilemma lies before me that seems to lie eternal
For what is you is yours and not at the mercy of the world external
I dare not ask of you something that I’d imagine’d make me own you
But if you ever asked any part of me as much as I could give you would be true.
The tragic truth I think I live in makes one thing clear
Your name is what I have you that’ll always be most dear
For those of us not blessed by angels to live within your soul
Your name’s the closest thing to you that could ever make us whole.
