//ABOUT THIS BLOG...
Years ago, I picked up a fascination with names...their meanings...the rhythms behind them. I chose to respond to it poetically.
This blog's a collection of some of the name poems I've written over the years.
ORDER A POEM: If you'd like a name poem written for you or someone you care about, please email me at thenamepoet@gmail.com.
(I have a particular fondness for Swahili names. Not sure why. I've written more name poems inspired by KiSwahili than any other names. Uhuru is Swahili for Freedom.)
Freedom is Freedom is Freedom
and no matter what history may tell you
freedom cannot be bought or sold
It is within you
Always has been
Waiting for you to realise
Waiting for you to remember
History is His story is His story
His story
not yours
For a bottle of spring water
is not
and can never be
as pure
as the source from whence it came
The Source is The Source is The Source
The source is in your genes
Science
Archaeology
Theology
Different schools of thought
Running helter-skelter
Bumping into each other
Searching for Eden in ancient books and bones
when you know and I know
that you were the first on the throne
'cos it's all there
Yes
in your genes
The Source
The Truth
Eden
Genesis
Alpha
Numero Uno
The Truth is The Truth is The Truth
The Truth is that you are Uhuru
Liberated
Free
You are Uhuru
No matter what his story may tell you
©Copyright - the name poet.
(I was asked to write a name poem for a newborn. I guess I could've penned an acrostic name poem as is commonly done for children, and sometimes I do, but for this, a free-flowing poem is what emerged)
Your name honours the sea
She honours you in return
by carving your nails
from the most delicate of her shells,
your tears from her finest salts,
and making seagulls your life-time guardians.
Swimming
is your first language
for it was the sea
that taught you
how to swim
to the womb.
At dark, her mermaids creep ashore.
Shhhhhhhh....
They listen to you through shells
to make sure you're okay while you sleep.
Somewhere out there, Dylan,
is a dolphin
born the same time as you.
Yes.
It awaits your friendship.
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Dylan - Welsh name meaning 'Great tide' - male]
OF INTEREST: A Child's Name Mug: Dylan
Anyone ever tell you you're
Naturally huggable?
Totally adorable?
Hilariously clumsy?
Outrageously funny?
Notably wacky?
Yummingly mine?
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Anthony means 'worthy of praise' in Greek.]
Look at me...
Do you see my father reflected in my eyes?
Do you see his smile folded into mine?
His past and my future intertwined?
Touch me...
Can you feel my father's spirit in mine?
His wisdom, his intelligence, his determination?
My wisdom, my intelligence, my determination?
See the love my father has for my mother?
That their love enticed me from God's arms?
Led me into theirs?
Can you see I am only as worthy
as the God who created me?
Nothing more - nothing less?
Look at me...
See me...
For my father is here.
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Namdi or Nnamdi is an Igbo name (Nigeria) meaning 'my father is present'.]
Joy is mine, little one Of all the dreams God planned, he Sent me you. Happiness is mine, little one Unbuckle my heart Attach it to your smile, forever...©Copyright - the name poet.
[Joshua means 'God Saves' in Hebrew]
Of interest: A Child's Name Mug: Joshua
He looks in the mirror
He likes what he sees
No need for a shave
He likes what he sees
He likes what he sees
'cos every nation
(past and present)
has a place - a space
in his reflection
He runs the bath...
The Caribbean Sea flows from the hot tap
The Pacific from the other
Adding 5, 6, 7, 8 drops of Cuban salsa,
his spirit slides in
The bennu bird taught him
how to breathe
how to be free
how to float
in the creative sea
And now he soaks
in the sea that resides within him
He steps out of the bath
dries himself with the warmth that flows
from Ra's devoted gaze
Holding sunbeams firmly
in the palm of his soul,
he smiles.
Now he can teach the caged bird
how to be free...
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Kubara is a self-made name. The name is a combination of:
1) Kuba - a nation of people who live in the Congo & in the Pacific Ocean;
2) the Caribbean island of Cuba
3) Ba - the spirit force;
4) and Ra, the Sun God.]
Hold your face up
to the sun.
Feel its rays
warm your heart.
That's peace.
Feel the wind
move your soul
with the gentleness
of a shy breeze.
That's peace.
Hold a butterfly
in the palm
of your hand.
Better yet…
Dance in the rain.
Be a raindrop.
There you will find peace.
You know peace.
It was the first breath
you took.
You will never forget peace
a revelation
renewed
as you breathe
your last.
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Bem means 'Peace' in Tiv (Nigeria)]
Give me an inch of your smile
Indulge me with your cheekiness
Or just give me a hug
Vibrant in your quiet energy
A gentle soul
Never have I felt...so proud
Never have I felt so much...love
I have you for a son.
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Giovanni means 'God is gracious' in Italian]
Just when I thought
All was lost, you
Came along
Oranged my blues
Blew me into the light
©Copyright - the name poet.
[Jacob means 'Supplanter' in Hebrew]
Embrace me
Take my breath away
Hold me tight
Aaah...that's nice
Now, kiss me...©Copyright - the name poet.
[Ethan means 'firm, strong' in Hebrew]
