Susan F. Glassmeyer
NAMELESS
I give up my first name, which means lily,
a woman falsely accused of adultery.
I give up my middle boy-girl name,
which means my father wanted a son.
I give up my confirmation name, true image,
since my truth can be your lie.
I give up my first husband’s surname.
Having died, he no longer needs it either.
I give up taking my second husband’s surname
so I may travel alone in the world.
I give up my maiden name. It belongs
to my father anyway.
I give up my mother’s maiden name.
It belongs to my grandfather anyway.
I claim my trail of descended eggs
having died without ever being named.
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