The Name Your Parents Gave You

may have a meaning or chosen for a reason
or your parents could have just liked it
whatever it is, it's the first thing you're called
it's how you're known, seen, and spoken of
for the majority, if not all, of your life.
you may go through phases of wanting to
change it, the name they chose doesn't
fit your personality or soul, how would
they know this isn't what you were meant
to be named, you'd think to yourself when
you decide you should change it, naming
yourself because you'd rather have a better
name to match how you want to view the
life you created or the life you desire to have.
you try it out, introduce yourself to new
or existing people in your life as the name
you feel is right for you. only you realize
after some time of insisting people call
you this name that you chose for yourself
that it doesn't sound like you, the name
strangers call you only works for as
long as the phase does, you realize
the name your parents gave you is the
only gift that remains until you pass on.
you grow up and go someplace, where
you meet someone and suddenly decide
to introduce yourself them as the name
you were given at birth, the one you
choose to run away from for the
several months because you wanted
a new life and now that you're here,
you don't mind bringing back the
name you've always had and refused
to keep when you were eager to leave.