25th January 2023

 
still dark
but the birds are calling
where is breakfast?

© Rachel Green January 2023

remember
your child can't change their name
as easily as you thought of it.
four hundred girls are called abcde
and imagine poor Erika, forever doomed
by the spelling of her name: Airwrecker,
and calling your kid Arson or Fellony
is just asking for trouble.
Brick and Burger are not happy boys
and Candida suffers through adolescence.
Hashtag and Havoc want to be influencers,
while Ikea is building up to a deep poll
and be very careful naming for a Goddess:
Isis refers to something different, now.
Jermagesty will not make him royalty
and poor KaVIIyn doesn't understand
Roman numerals at such a young age.
Lasagne sounds good enough to eat
but no-one will talk to Latrina
and Milady is a malady for life.
Misery, Mister and Moonunit
won't play scrabble with Netflix or Rolexus
while Popeye is doomed and Riot is lost.
Semaj is a bit backward but stays friends
with Nevaeh and Xela.
Taqueria hates Taco Tuesdays
and teachers won't call out for Active Shooter.
Tesla and Toadie regret being born
while Wednezdai have never been to Wales
and Window is transparent.
At least growing up in New Zealand
you can be Number 16 Bus Shelter.

© Rachel Green January 2023