Poison Emily

When my parents were deciding on baby names for me

The landed on Ivy

I have always liked the name but

my grandma challenged my parents

Because she was convinced I would get called

Poison Ivy.

She judged the middle school girls

Because middle school girls are spiteful

Like Venus Flytraps patiently waiting to strike their next victim

Using the name calling as digestive juices to consume you alive

But I always thought Poison Ivy was a bad ass nickname.

It felt strong to me as a child

Trying to cling to some form of power

Because no one messes with a girl called Poison Ivy.

And over come the racing thoughts telling me I wasn’t good enough.

That I am worth more than the doormat I became

because my name is not Ivy.

I was not given that privilege.

Instead of being gifted with a rare name

I was gifted with determination.