What's in a name? That which we call a Rose
By any other name would smell as foul
It invades the town with a bag o' woes
Blocking the Parkway to unleash its bowels
A stomach full o' speed n' carnival rides
Draws ships; destroyers n' Man of Wars
The sensible citizen runs n' hides
From a city ravaged by sailors n' whores
Two weeks o' Laffy Taffy-flavored vomit
Two weeks o' fast gunfire no one explains
Two tons o' professional strength Comet
Could not wash away these neon stains
June nights of decadence, brawls and pillage
These the pangs o' Waterfront Village

For more lovely sonnets inspired by Portland's annual Rose Festival, click here