Thirteen Reasons Why You Shouldn't Tell Me Her Name

don't tell me her name

because it will burn the back of my throat

like bile and escape my lips in whispers

of 'could have been'

don't tell me her name

because every time i say yours

it will be mangled and poisoned with hers.

the syllables of your name were always 

so pure when they escaped my lips

don't tell me her name

because the word 'you' only has one syllable

but so does 'stay' and i don't know

how many more painful syllables i can fit 

in my mouth and still remember to gargle 

and wash them down the drain.

don't tell me her name

because poetry will never make me forget

the way she sounds perfect projecting

from your remorseful lips.

don't tell me her name

because she will hide in every drag

I smoke, every hit I take

and every swig of cheap vodka

that hits the back of my throat

don't tell me her name

because it will be wrapped around 

you, caressing my favorite place on your body

the crease of your lower back

vulnerable like the crest of a ripe peach. 

don't tell me her name 

because it will be etched 

in violet and sapphire beneath my eyes

and I don't want to see her

every time I look at my reflection. 

don't tell me her name

because it will fit next to yours 

better than mine does. 

her hands, her body fit

like cream and coffee

don't tell me her name 

because every day I'll recall 

how the journal tucked into your back pocket

like a second beating heart

carried you to Ohio in a swarm 

of poetry and other girl's names.

don't tell me her name 

because I want to believe 

that the 'Arlene,' the 'Abby'

and maybe even the 'Elizabeth'

in your works of fiction are somehow

recreations of me. 

don't tell me her name 

because I'm sorry.

don't tell me her name

because I regret. 

don't tell me her name

because with enough repetitions

one day you will forget mine. 

Reviews

[A. Amos]

I have to saw, your feelings are oozing from each and every word you written and trust me taking to unique journey of understanding for your reader. Simply elegant work.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Haha...clever, and honest. Sometimes it's better not to know, and people need to realize that "ommission" is not necessarily a "lie". I liked the repetion of this one, and the way that it stepped out of the box a little bit. I also enjoyed the nods toward the "now", which I think makes this one even more relatable.

don't tell me her name
because with enough repetitions
one day you will forget mine. -- great lines, and a great conclusion with a clever nod toward the form of the piece.

Another winner in my book.

[K. Louis]

love the structure here dana...really well done

[jacob erin-cilberto]

another marvelous write...don't use her name when you speak or write, because if you do it enough, you will forget mine..

there is that feeling of mistrust...there is that feeling of someone who might go back to an old girlfriend...

i have had the reverse happen enough to relate to this...

too well.

jacob

[Dana Alsamsam]

this was one of the hardest and easiest pieces I've written. I genuinely don't want to know who she is or it will drive me mad. thanks for reading my work even when i neglect posting for so long!