Women bear names not their own.
We take up our names.
Names of praise,
Names of shame,
Names smeared
Like scarlet letters.
Women bear names not their own.
We wear them
Like tattered shrouds
Because we are
The burden bearers,
The guilt wearers,
The broken heart carriers.
Women bear names not their own.
We strut out the name
Proud and prancing.
Sometimes,
We stuff our name
Under our shirts
But regret peeks out.
Women bear names not their own.