Parallel Universe
She says my name.
She says my name to get my attention.
She says my name at the end of a sentence to punctuate her argument.
She says my name; I’m a puppy; I wag my tail.
She says my name in Spanish.
She says, my name, no yells it when it is time to come home at dark.
She says the fake name I gave her.
She says my name but I hate when she says it.
She says my name on repeat.
She says a shortened version of my name.
She says my name sounds pretty white.
She says my name and wants to know if I have time to take a brief survey.
She says my name in a whisper.
She doesn’t say my name.
She doesn’t know my name.
She says my name when my order is ready.
She says my name like a simple question that is easy to answer.
She says my scientific name.
She says the only nickname that ever stuck.
She says my name because I have no power here.
She says my name so it’s not forgotten.
She shouts my name in the streets.
She says my name telepathically: hot feet, a hand in my leg hair, pain in my lower back.
She says her name because she’s tired of saying mine.
12 thoughts on "Parallel Universe"
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Christopher-
I say your name to say I love the way you have written this poem and how it unravels over the length of it to reveal your message.
I love your choice of repetition. awesome.
I love the pace of this my brother. Thank you.
The repetition is so effective! It propelled me down the poem, shaking my head at its revelation.
Christopher,
The final line drives it home “She says her name because she’s tired of saying mine”
Thank you for sharing!
I love pieces with this kind of repetition!
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
YYYYYYUUUUUUUUMMMMMMM,
If I do so dare to say.
Remarkable.
The last line definitely packs a punch! I also love “because I have no power here.” It’s respectful and sensual and all the things at once.
Your use of repetition is effective.
I like how you commented on not only the different names a person can have (scientific, nicknames, etc), but also the different ways they can be said!
That last line. Damn. Love this one!
wow.