Shankle

There is power in a name.

A weight
That holds us together
And grounds us to our roots.

It is the first form of identification we are given
Upon entering this world

Yet it can change
And mold
And evolve
As we do

From shortenings to nicknames
To taking the surnames of those
We choose to spend our lives with

Our names are at the core of who we are
And who we want to be

Yet I could swear
That every time you say mine
It’s like I’m hearing it for the first time

Like I’m rediscovering who I am
Again and again

As if I was never truly me
Until you came into my life
And spoke