I love Josie’s writing workshop, but I don’t often get the chance to take part.  This week is no exception, but I’m delighted to be guest posting on behalf of a special friend.

I know it’s not always easy to comment on an anonymous post but I hope as you read you’ll realise why she’s made this decision.  Keeping the family peace is very important to her, but she also needed to write this and is eagerly awaiting your comments.  The poem below is one of her first forays using this medium and, personally, I’m blown away.

Enjoy…

Inspired by prompt number 1:  Write about a nickname you have been given in your life, either an endearing one or perhaps a hurtful one that cut deep. How did that nickname come about? Who gave it to you? What feelings and memories does it conjure up?

The Name

You arrive and we give you a name
It should be special but
What will suit? Will it fit?
We choose what we like but is that right?
Will it hinder you in life’s journey?
It is never shortened. Not by us
You grow to fit it and it fits you
To the world that is you

The intimacy of family brings another name
One that is unique. Special
It is acquired, earnt,
It is given in love
You feel comfortable. It is you
You own it when sending to me

Your journey brings new family
Does she understand? No
She destroys this special bond
Her ignorance causes grief and guilt
Could she be right? Was it wrong?
Has it harmed you? He says ‘No’
I will never use it again
Just in case. You will never know

The Name
Tagged on:                         

39 thoughts on “The Name

  • April 22, 2010 at 9:08 am
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    wow, this is super and so intriguing. i want to know more, i want to know who this new women is, a wife, girlfriend? i want to know what the name was, why she got so upset about it, what happened to make it cause so much grief. so well done that it leaves me making up little scenarios in my head

    Brilliant.

    And i love this anon guest post idea too Paula – fabulous x

  • April 22, 2010 at 9:16 am
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    That is such a good post but leaves you with so many questions. Mother-in-law,stepmum,girlfriend,sister? Who,how,why.
    Love it. Great.

  • April 22, 2010 at 9:38 am
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    Brilliant poem. You are a real natural, whoever you are! Intriguing and actually I love that the reader can imagine who this is about. I love it.

  • April 22, 2010 at 10:22 am
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    Wow!! What an intriguing post!! Wonderfully written, leaves me wanting more…maybe we’ll see more soon? I hope so.

  • April 22, 2010 at 11:25 am
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    I am hooked, I want to know more but I also get it as it stands as it is so well expressed 🙂 Jen.

  • April 22, 2010 at 12:58 pm
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    Lovely. I also want to know more. Maybe your guest poster could write another?

  • April 22, 2010 at 1:25 pm
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    I hate secrets lol-so wish I knew the whole story now! Maybe she should write a book so I can read about it.

  • April 22, 2010 at 1:53 pm
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    Thanks Heather…so glad it had that effect on you. I feel very privileged to have posted it too xx

  • April 22, 2010 at 1:54 pm
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    It’s great isn’t it? I can understand the questions, and I think the anonymity makes it all the more intriguing. Thanks for commenting lovely xx

  • April 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm
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    Great feedback – thanks Holly. I know she’s been reading and appreciating such lovely comments x

  • April 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm
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    You never know! Thanks for stopping by Jay xx

  • April 22, 2010 at 2:04 pm
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    I think I sort of get it! We call our youngest Midge & my mother sent me an email recently telling me off for it. That we would give her a complex because she’s small. I felt like that when i read her email. We stopped for awhile but then I asked her & she said she liked it. So we do but just at home. I felt really cross with my mum like she had turned something special into something dark. Amazing to rd has happened to someone else. Or maybe I’m projecting!

  • April 22, 2010 at 2:21 pm
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    Lovely poem and very well written – not quite sure of the stance… but it’s given me a great idea for a blog post so THANK YOU to whoever you are 🙂

  • April 22, 2010 at 2:27 pm
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    Who, what, when, where, why? All questions that begin swirling about in my mind as I read this post. Excellent bit of writing and quite intriguing.

  • April 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm
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    It’s funny how perspectives change and innocent nicknames are labelled ‘evil’ when outsiders, who may not understand, who do not have the background, question and malign it.

    A beautiful poem! 🙂

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:12 pm
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    Thanks Jen, I know what you mean….sometimes the wanting is better than the knowing x

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:12 pm
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    Isn’t it good? She’s got a talent, that’s for sure x

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:13 pm
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    Good point – would save me ever having to write my own blog!

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:17 pm
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    That’s a great suggestion….I’m sure she’ll have seen it 🙂

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:18 pm
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    It’s really harsh when people make assumptions or comment on your behaviour without really understanding it. I’m really pleased that it didn’t stop you altogether xxx

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:19 pm
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    Thanks Vix, I love it too – and I love the whole dissection of name giving and name owning x

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:20 pm
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    Thanks duly passed on xxx

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:21 pm
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    So intriguing – I have no idea if she’ll choose to reveal more or not, but I agree with you, it’s excellent in its own right. 🙂

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:22 pm
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    Thanks Kerry – it definitely does xx

  • April 22, 2010 at 7:22 pm
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    So true, thanks for reading and I’m sure my she’ll appreciate your comment x

  • April 22, 2010 at 8:47 pm
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    I love poetry like this. It obviously means so much to the person that wrote at it, but at the same time we, as the reader, are left able to take away our own thoughts, impressions and guesses at the story behind it.

    Beautiful. I think I know who wrote this and she is a very talented poet and writer indeed x

  • April 22, 2010 at 8:59 pm
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    Beautiful and intriguing poem.

  • April 23, 2010 at 8:59 am
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    Loved it, more details required, very well written.

  • April 23, 2010 at 10:23 am
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    Others have said it and I can only repeat….it is SO ‘intriguing’. So many questions I want to ask – what was the name? Who was she? Was she aware of the depth of the writer’s hurt….?
    A lovely piece.

  • April 23, 2010 at 12:48 pm
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    I love this. Very well written and full of depth and meaning. Very heartfelt. It is really interesting looking at how the dynamics of family change as ‘outsiders’ become ‘insiders’. Great post. x

  • April 23, 2010 at 1:09 pm
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    Thanks Josie, I’m intrigued to know who you think it might be x

  • April 23, 2010 at 1:09 pm
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    Thank you, she’s delighted that so many people have been lovely enough to leave their comments. x

  • April 23, 2010 at 1:11 pm
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    Thanks Karen, I know what you mean….So many questions! 🙂

  • April 23, 2010 at 1:11 pm
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    I agree Chris, lots of ‘food for thought’ there. Thanks x

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