My Name Is My Name - The Chicago Poetry Center

My Name Is My Name

Our Hale after school program got off to a strong start this week as our 6-8th graders focused on our names. First, we read Choi Jeong Min by Franny Choi and discussed the stories behind the names we were given. Many of us, like Franny Choi, have complicated relationships with our names but have grown to find nicknames or chosen names that bring us comfort. We then spent some time writing acrostic name poems, or a poem where the first letter of each line spells a word. This week, Ocean shares a verse about their name’s meaning.

Ocean Ocean G.

Of course I’d end up changing my own name someday. But at least I changed it to something fitting and beautiful. My name is the big blue magical sea. A mysterious place full of gorgeous life.

Certainly, I would never stick with a name as plain as my first. I can’t stand it.

Even though that name was important and meant a lot to my parents, especially my dad, I just can’t stick with it. Sorry dad, but whoever this friend of your mom was, she won’t be me.

Again, I can’t stand that name. I love Ocean, not that one. I am Ocean and I will always be Ocean. Ocean is me.

Never have I been so sure in my life. I love my new name and I will keep it forever. I am Ocean.