A Name Story...a work in progress.

My name is a story

Of who I am,

Of who I want to be.

See, other kids can trace

Their stories back through

Their veins, their blood,

And all of the firsts:

First red-heads, twins,

Swimmer’s builds, and

This or that chromosome.

But, the way I have come

To be who you see as me

Can only be traced

As far as my name.

Catherine- passed down from

My father’s side, alongside

That ambitious Irish spirit

For which my grandmother

Was too well-known.

Katie- the name I learned

To read and write; my mother

Instilling in me the same sense

Of pride and respect each time

We dotted an i, crossed a t.

Li- the first name I was given

To set me apart from my sisters

At the orphanage, the name my

Foster parents used to calm the tears,

The name that made my real parents

Cry with joy.

Songey- “ah” like in father,

Soft “g” like my mother,

Say it strong like you mean it,

Honest sounds, unique ring

Given life, it’s been well worn.

It’s ok if you stumble

On a letter or two, it happens.

Just take a breath and try again

At least that's what it's taught me

My story, well tried, still true.