Names

Marilyn Buck

1997

my movement
led to a clandestine world
where Marilyn spoken
mustn't evoke even a startled eye
it did cause a tripping
behind my heart

I collected other names
sometimes more than one at once
some musical
some brief
useful names to be called
when others wanted my attention
or proof of identity
like scarves
draped over shoulders
decorative
concealing

on capture
an FBI man uttered
Marilyn
a question
a victory shout

named
I had no option but
       Marilyn
scarves stripped
by howling winds of retribution

July 1997

This poem appeared in
Rescue the Word