thanks
for the name
i think i wore it well;
i loved it
while i had it,
but now
it just doesn’t fit;
i let my soul
grow
where it wanted to grow
and the letters
just got too tight --
wrapping around my throat
trying to bind my arms
and legs in tight;
it just doesn’t fit
like it used to,
going back to
my roots,
going back to
the beginning,
going back to

my original soil,
splashing in the mud
of me –
i’m taking my name
back;
and so,
i want to take your name
& put it in a nice box,
wrap it up
with a big, fat, satiny bow
of gratitude;
i was genuinely sorry
that i just couldn’t
make it fit anymore.
but now,
i’m just me
without apology
without regret;
thanks for loaning me
your name
may you always
wear it well.