The Power of a Name

Each time
I hear that name,
The one offered to me
By my parents,
A weight is added,
Like someone dropped
A stone into my backpack.

Family gatherings.
Another stone.
A sub taking attendance.
Another stone.
College mail.
Another stone.
Student ID.
Another stone.

But
When I hear MY name,
The one I CHOSE,
A stone is taken out.
A teacher calling MY name.
A stone is taken out.
A friend calling MY name.
A stone is taken out.
A package with MY name.
A stone is taken out.

A name

Is more than

A label.

It is more than

“Bookworm"

Or "chorister".

Each name

Conceals a story.