Helen "HP" Rivers

Sometimes
my friend’s kids get new crushes,
sometimes they get new names,
or try them on, and I am happy
to oblige – quite content to be a
quiet anchor, loving and loving
every blessing of their becoming,
all the ways they live and learn.

Look kid – back when
we were a fresh 15,
I talked your mom out of
much worse names for you
than you could ever choose for yourself.

It’s ok if it’s a phase,
it’s ok if it isn’t, too –
to be honest,
I never loved your name;
We’ve always adored You.

the name I use
when I pray for you
don’t change who’s
on the receiving side –
heck, I reckon
They already knew
I was wrong the
whole damn time.