Our Names

Naming My Daughter by Patricia Fargnoli             In the Uruba tribe of Africa, children are             named not only at birth but throughout their             lives by their characteristics and the events             that befall them. The one who took hold in the cold night The one who kicked loudly The one who slid down quickly in the ice storm She who came while the doctor was eating dessert New one held up by heels in the glare The river between two brothers Second pot on the stove Princess of a hundred dolls Hair like water falling beneath moonlight Strides into the day She who runs away with motorcycle club president Daughter kicked with a boot Daughter blizzard in the sky Daughter night-pocket She who sells sports club memberships One who loves over and over She who wants child but lost one. She who wants marriage but has none She who never gives up Diana (Goddess of the Chase) Doris (for the carrot-top grandmother she never knew) Fargnoli (for the father who drank and left and died) Peter Pan, Iron Pumper Tumbleweed who goes mouths without calling Daughter who is a pillar of light Daughter mirror, Daughter stands alone Daughter boomerang who always comes back Daughter who flies forward into the day where I will be nameless. "Naming My Daughter" by Patricia Fargnoli, from Necessary Light. © Utah State University Press, 1999. Reprinted with permissio   This is another poem again from the "Writer's Almanac" this morning. What an exquisite idea to pause with attention and give name honor to those we love and to ourselves each day every day for our human foibles,successes ,musings,funniness and amazing complexity of who we are and give thanks...Thank you poet Patricia Fargnoli for sharing these thoughtful words.