My name is many things
My name is birds chirping, alarms ringing
My name is my mother’s excitement when she found out she was having a girl
My name is my older brother’s muffled vowels and consonants because he is just two when he first hears it, and the word is too hard to pronounce
My name is the laughter I release when my parents tickle me
When my dog licks my face
My name is my lips and every time I speak, I say my name
My name is the skin on my body
The bones that hold me up
The blood that rushes to my head
When I’m upside down doing cartwheels
My name is the butterflies in his stomach after our first kiss
My name is summer days spent driving with the top down
Faces kissed by the vibrant sun
My name is adventure, hope, and fear
The future to come
And all there is that frightens me
My name is everyone I’ve known
And everyone I’ve loved
My name is gentle
My name is loud
My name is excited
My name is lovely
My name is Danielle.