(A person known by one name)

There's a place for gifting a name
One to be known and addressed by
One to answer by
One that speaks of family
One to be adopted and sometimes adapted
But one to affirm from birth.

There's a place for picking up a name
One given casually, possibly accidentally
One like Ace and Rock, Smarts and Giggles
One that captures a grain of the truth of you.

There's no place for names given in distain,
names of derision, laced with hatred,
names to reject, even if stated in jest.
There's no need to repeat these here.

Ultimately, there's a perfect place
for a secret name, known only
to you and your beloved,
given in a moment of tenderness,
given in a language of love,
given to say you belong.

A name to be whispered
in the quiet of eternity.

One name worth waiting for.