Overcoming the Weight of a Name
While names can trigger painful memories, they do not have to destroy us.
I was getting over you
and watching the scars fade
until I heard a singer with your name.
Then my sadness came flooding back.
I know, a name should just be a name.
But it reminded me of your words and your face.
Your honesty was once attractive
until it turned into drawn-out lectures
on how some of my dreams
would be unrealistic.
You made me doubt my abilities,
and you kept patronizing me.
At first, I gave you excuses.
You were projecting your feelings
about yourself onto me.
You weren’t aware of your insensitivity.
But your last lecture was the last straw.
I needed to let go of you and just be me.
I wrote this poem to clear my head
of some of the things you said.
The scars from the pain will fade.
I’ll release the weight of your name
and let my favorite singer’s lyrics
take the sadness away.
