NAMING MYSELF

When I was young
I didn't like to say my name
out loud.
It isn't a funny name
but it tangled in my mouth,
slid out and dropped
clumsily to the ground.
Polite people would
keep their faces straight
until I was gone.
But I would lie in bed
at night
and see them laugh
bending almost double
eyes watering
mouths agape
throwing my name from one
to the other like a water balloon
fat and fragile
and quivering.

			Lucille Murphy