poetic form involves some kind of structural formula dictating how it is to be written. Beyond this, myriad of differences exist among abstract or genre poems. The three poems, "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning, "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson and "We Real Cool," by Gwendolyn Brooks truly exemplify such variety.

In "My Last Duchess," Browning offers readers a personal view of an aristocratic Duchess from the mid-1840s. While standing in front of his late wife's portrait, Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara of Italy talks about her failings and imperfections to a member of his fiancee's family. The ironic twist comes when it is realized that the young wife's faults were simply "a heart too soon made glad, too easily impressed." In other words, she was too friendly to others -- especially men -- and thus the arrogant, jealous and controlling Duke had her killed.

The poem offers an...
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