Terms of endearment

Names : our first resumé
         names we live up to
and names we live down
         names that we become
and which become us
         destinations we travel home to
or sometimes leave behind
         a whole mixture of emotions
the name we own
         and by which we are owned
give a dog a bad name
         and it will come back
to haunt you
         the naming of parts
and parcels of affection
         the intimate nicknames
that lovers often share
         a ferreting away
of that part of the person
         that is all and only ours

Alex and Myra
         and Michael and Pat
and Paul and Tracy
         and Harrison and

Faith and Hope
         the infant twins
growing in love and beauty
         day by day
effortlessly easing themselves
         into their identities
that will accrue organically
         through the years
along with their hair
         and their bones
and their skin
         and whatever talents
are bound to emerge
         along with their energies
and their charm
         names that trip so lightly
on the tip of people’s tongues
         the ultimate terms of endearment

John Lyons