Names are just a label
but sometimes they can be painful.
To others we can be cruel
children use nasty nicknames at school.
‘Freckles’ hurt deeply as a child
but hearing others, mine was mild!
Did name-calling make you wild?
Dyslexia means I often confuse names
if you look or behave like ‘Pete’
then ‘Paul’ is forgotten as in my mouth I put both feet
Why are we so fragile about the right name?
We grasp to our label, our title or fame
adds to our strong sense of self “me, I, mine”
How do you respond to the wrong name
get all fired up and ready to blame?
Or just let it go and get on with the game?
Try checking these strong reactions to tame
your emotions, its only ourselves we maim!
Getting worked up leaves us all feeling shame.
Are we our name, profession or fame?
They are merely parts of many roles we play
and we know they can change from day to day.
Let go and just be with the sway!
11.5.2006 – Daily Prompt: Label
aroused 
For most Asians, a name means a lot..so one must be very careful in assigning names to a newborn. They say some names will bring luck and fortune and some otherwise. So as a mother it was also.my concern at first…but…#### i care!!! We name our kids however we want it and make sure we raise them well…
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lol such very true words Mich, if you raise them well you’ve given them a solid base to work from then if they do go astray they certainly know how to get back 🙂
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As most of my nick-names are not cruel – I put up with them.
I do try to use the name a person has introduced themselves to me by.
Gets a bit confusing when you know so many folks by the same name or nick-name though.
Like Robert, Robbie, Rob, Bob, Bobby…
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true, most of my friends are jennie, jen jan ….
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We just are really, everything else is attachment
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We do love putting labels on, don’t we. Ourselves and others. Interesting!
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Great read with a very strong message. Thanks for sharing!
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thanks
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Yes, I find swayin’ to be the way to go. Love this poem, Kate!
I don’t like labels or boxes. I never 100% fit any of them anyways. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Love the photo! Those faces always make me smile!!! 🙂
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lol posting my herd a bit more often as I hope to soon be on a conservation block with no farm animals 🙂
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Labels are hard to get rid of. I don’t know if it’s just human nature to identify and name people and things. What I do like is that we can define our own labels, our own names and we don’t have to accept the labels that others put on us.
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We are quick to label others but don’t like to be labelled!
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An interesting poem, Kate. I have been called strange names and Mr Cheadle for many years. It really doesn’t bother me, I think it is quite amusing.
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there seems to be far more respect if people think you’re male … sad isn’t it
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It was sad, but the kids were more mature than my teachers.
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isn’t that a sad indictment on society …
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Cool. Yeah, I grew up with an LD. As time went on, the other kids would ignore me day-to-day but protect me against the adults, like with my jacket I always wore with a map inside. S had to go take care of that. It was not to be taken. I don’t know why I got a voice of a cheerleader (in schizophrenia) because they were always nice to me.
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ouch had no idea you’ve had it so tough all your life, you are a special lady!
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What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – William Shakespeare
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lol nice Katherine!
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Namaste Calm Kate 🙂
Unusual topic and an interesting take on the prompt. You make several salient points, and all nicely imbedded in verse.
I’ve known several people in my lifetime who’ve kicked up a stink if their names aren’t used correctly, but yet, they were amongst the first to use abbreviated forms of names, or not even bother with names at all when addressing others. Generally speaking I don’t have a problem with what title is used as long as a person is polite and at least makes an effort
I think most of us understand that people no longer have power over us just because they know our name…we aren’t living in Tolkien’s fantastical Middle Earth. However, name calling is another matter altogether and whilst ‘sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me’ works as a means to deflect insult, repeated use or excessive insults are not tolerable to most people.
Words fascinate me, as do names and their origins and meanings. I’ve often wondered whether we grow into the name we’re given? Does our name have influence over us? I wonder if you’ve ever looked up the meaning of your name and thought how it applies to you?
Thanks for the poem.
Namaste 🙂
DN
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of course I have Dewin, it’s not my given name, I chose my name to suit me and then changed it legally by deed poll 🙂
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It ain’t the label that matters it’s what’s inside the packet (colloquially and literally). Not sure if you have these terms in Oz but my pet hates on food packaging labels are terms like ‘Farm Fresh’, ‘Traditional’ and ‘Hand Crafted’ – all meaningless marketing BS!
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another good point about labels .. there is so much marketing bs out there that we need to question before mindlessly adding it to our cart!
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Great poem. It is unfortunate that I think we live in a world that labels us in just about every aspect of our lives. So are good, many are bad. As an example, in Canada, as in many places, there is an extreme shortage of “skilled trade workers.” The label and it is just a label “skilled trade worker” has the connotation of “not smart; dirty hands; low wages.” The reality is, yes your hands may get dirty, but many of the skilled trades offer wages in excess of $100,000 per year in Canada. The label of “skill trade” has a negative view, but it is far from that.
Labels can cut deep into the soul of a person and stick with the person for their entire life.
Again, great poem and lots to think about.
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great points to demonstrate what I’m trying to say, thanks Glen!
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You’re most welcome. Easy to comment on a great post.
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I was born in a stable
They gave me a label
And the title has bugged me
Through all of my life
My Mum had an urgin’
And she was no virgin
But it would have been better
If she was Dad’s wife
I’m beginning to tire
With my gig as Messiah
And I’m sick of the lies in the bible
As well
Dad weren’t no God
Let me give you the nod
And there ain’t no heaven
But there might be a hell.
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ooh controversial but very clever, love it … good enough to reblog pops!
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Nah …. yours to keep.
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thanks Brutus … you gonna meet me for coffee when I come south?
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Who knows? My movements are a little hard to predict
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you and your movements pops … come on surely I deserve to finally meet my father?
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Are you really prepared for such a disappointment?
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absolutely will be in Sydney next two weekends … not sure Mum would cope with the shock if you turned up there mid-week … and please bring your partner if she is available 🙂
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We don’t actually live in Sydney …. more of a transit stop. But, as I say, who knows?
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This is the first time I’ve read any of your work. I have to say, as I started reading your poem I could feel the rhythm to your words and felt like I was in a slam poetry session. Really wonderful.
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Wonderful poem! We are not name, profession or fame. We are all human beings with the same birth rights! As Sathya Sai Baba says: “There is only one caste…/ the caste of humanity.
There is only one religion…/ the religion of love.
There is only one language…/ the language of the heart.”
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Great poem. I don’t attach myself to labels. It took some learning to let go.
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