I have loved my name and I have hated it Hidden it; buried it; burned it Threw it back to my parents—I did not want it I let it fly from my lips only as a toxic poison. Do not call me it. A nickname then name change and I renounced what identified me my entire life Sick of the jokes how I was so ungraceful for someone who carried that title Sick of the smiles from strangers telling me they always wanted a daughter with my name Sick of the expectations a name like Grace held As I renounced my faith Renounced my upbringing I renounced the name that kept me tied to a life I never wanted
But I have loved my name In its fullest, truest meaning of the term Love to the unlovely; peace to the restless; Love that cares and stoops and rescues A name with such a force to live up to I realize even when running from and hating myself, I loved so deeply for others that I began to learn to love myself again And maybe expectations are frightening and thrilling all the same