What's in a Name?

What’s in a name?  After all

We daily call each to each, “Britt” or “Lou”

We etch our name into the ancient wall.

 

A baby is born and named, brand new

They staple it into her very face

Choose, and choosing, control the who…

 

In bands once our ancient gatherer race

We grubbed and ground until the bronze men came

With their “Clergyman” or “Knight,” “Smith” in place

 

So centuries there are in my ancient shame

Whipped, I notch the knife into my arm

I write myself in blood, I dig my name

 

I dress my cuts as my very charm

I dance all history across my walls

“Me Shaman slaveboy, I do no harm”

 

Bleeding wrists crossed as a Counter calls

“One, two!” I take the pain

It’s mine, small mine as each stroke falls

 

The whip writes redly, reddest pain

I bow, we bow our heads in utter shame

We accept it, accept it all again!

 

What’s in a name? Slaveboy came

And went, they called it “John” the slave

They wrote on skin my worthless name.

 

O what’s in a name?  Nothng of course

No more than a dog or a racing horse

But one thing I can never do

Is tell my other names to you

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