The Naming

Who we really are . . .

I Name you, my Love,
softly, whispering the Truth
of who you are,
not how you seem to others,
not who you have been on this Earth.

I look deeply into your eyes,
invite the Soul to emerge
through the layers of lives,
that you might remember,
and join me in this spectacular Quest.

All the other names fall away
for both of us;
we meet in that suspended Moment
where Truth can be found,
and the Eternal invoked.

Neither of us knew the power of the Naming
until Love entered our midst,
cast away common fears,
exorcized ghosts and demons.

Our true Names define us-
not the mortal clothes we pick out for each lifetime
from some banquet hall filled with
wardrobes and mirrors.

Practicing the Naming,
facing each Other,
our Forms fall away,
the Matter we are made of here
dissolving into charismatic Energy
that dances,
merging, separating,
playful and alive.

Imagine if we faced each One we met
in each passing Moment,
seeking the true Name that lives in each of us.
Unique Names created from the same language,
the same Word,
that created this Earth.

We are different aspects of the same Source,
Light, Sound, and Love,
Beginning, without end.

I Name you, my Love.

Author's Note

Written 7/24/16, as my husband and I sat on the patio. He was lost in a verbal stream on the subject of the names of God, while I wrote this poem. I have always been fascinated by the Earth Sea Trilogy, where I first was introduced to the idea that we have authentic, hidden Names underneath the common name we were given at birth. In that work, true Names are only revealed to those who are trustworthy companions.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

There's a quote.. don't know its origin: 'We are every place weve ever visited, every person we've ever met and... every emotion shared with another's heart. ' Your exquisite words and means of laying them reminds me or rather, magnifies that quote. As to many lives within the present one, why not..'possibility' is only another word, another thought.. another plausibility! You stroke then tuck your words into people's hearts, don't you?

[Marianne Rose]

What a beautiful review, poetic in its own right. I love your insights and reflections, and feel touched by your last thought, so honoring and sensitive. In my young life, when I was a teacher, my mentor told me I had an "iron fist with a velvet glove" with students- that phrase comes back to me from time to time, still pondering it after all these years. Hearts that soften do have a secret place where words and feelings they have heard or read get tucked inside. What an inspiring way to look at this process. Thank you for this gift . . . Another phrase I think that will stick with me on this writing journey. 💜

[William Gardner]

That was lovely. Your poem dances in perfect tune with your love for him and you can feel it as you move along the stanzas. Thank you for sharing.

[Great Aunt Astri]

That's an interesting poem on an interesting idea And, so often the names people do have seem, so often, relevant. I love the first line " I Name you, my love...."

[Nessly]

Beautiful words filled with truth. Nicely done.

[costa siwale]

Now this! is some good poetry. I just love this! incredible

[Elodia Jaime]

This is amazing too but have to give a 99 because the other one that I just read is 100 all the way. Very pleasant thought provoking reading. Makes me wonder how many lifetimes we have all lived. Have I lived in another lifetime? Will I live in one yet to come? That is the question I was left with when I finished reading your words. So inspiring to know we can name our loves. I am lucky. I have so many loves, the most wonderful are the grandchildren. "....Casting away common fears...." Yes, will a love reject us or be the jealous kind? How will we cope with each one? For me that question was answered when you wrote..."We are different aspects of the same Source..." to me meaning that we all came from the same place and so we will understand each other implicitly. Thank you.

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Yes, I love the mystery of the question of lifetimes too . . . Lately I wonder if we do have different lifetimes, are they all occurring simultaneously on different planes of existence, rather than the chronology we are accustomed to thinking about. So happy that you have many loves- nothing better than that- surrounded by those you love. As it happens, my grandchildren are visiting right now- it's been a year since we saw them last- and they indeed are my loves, and it's obvious the feeling is mutual. I like your take on the "different aspects" line- so hopeful that we will understand each other implicitly . . . We could use more of that in our world. Thanks for stopping by and reading/reviewing this poem. I'll stop by your page in the morning when I have fresh eyes and a sharper mind!

[Elodia Jaime]

Have a wonderful weekend. I asked if I could share your poem? I would post on Facebook and make sure your name and copyright is prominent. Will not if you say no... I am going to post a poem today.

[Schatzi]

Hello Marianne Rose,

I really enjoyed the ideology behind your words. It is reminiscent of Native American beliefs where a child is not given a name at birth but earns it as their personality emerges. It isn't always the parents who name their child either, it could come from an elder or grandparent or even a dream.

The underlying meaning was beautiful and yet powerful. When I think about the many mythologies I have read throughout many cultures, there is always similarities and the power in knowing one's name is always mentioned so I can truly appreciate the deep meaning in your poem. Great job!

Thank you for sharing your work!

Kind regards,

Schatzi

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you so much! I have 1/16 Shawnee in my genes, and often feel the Native American spirit rise up in me, especially when I'm in the woods. But I didn't realize this tradition- so thank you for sharing it with me. Your review is very kind and affirming, and I'm glad it resonated with you in its depth and message. Much appreciation- Marianne

[Daisy]

A very beautiful,thought-provoking piece of writing this is! So well articulated through words.
"Imagine if we faced each One we met
in each passing Moment,
seeking the true Name that lives in each of us."
Loved it to the core! Looking forward to read more of your work!
Excellent Poetry!

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you Daisy for such a kind review. Looking forward to checking out your work too!

[Daisy]

U deserve it so much. And Thank You :)

[Robin Goodfellow]

I love this work. It has a hauntingly beautiful quality to it, so much so that I feel a bit shaken.

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you so much for visiting and letting this poem in - your review is beautiful and expressive- I hope to know more about you when I visit your page. Your reflections are much appreciated.

[barleygirl]

This is a very unique & thought-provoking read. As I read, many different ideas were streaming. First, I thought about how, many times in life, we feel better once we have a name for something (like an illness or any phenomenon). As I read on, I thought about pet names some people have for each other . . . & also the way I end up having a half dozen names for each of my pets, different from their given names. Finally, I caught on to the idea that you were referring to the God source or universal energy that is in all of us, connecting us, & how people get hung up on what we call it. It's better to leave it unnamed, as you've done here, so that people don't get stuck on some like or dislike of the name itself.

[Marianne Rose]

I really appreciate your review and reflections- I hadn't thought about the consolation we receive once we can name something like an illness. And yes, the endearing names that capture our affection for our animals friends is very important and part of our unique natures I think. I'm glad you caught the reflection about leaving the higher source in-named, that we not all fight about what we call it or how we experience it. I didn't realize so many different responses were possible for this poem, and I'm encouraged to see it resonates with you and so many others! Thank you!