dead names by Aiden Nimer

don’t ever tattoo a name, names change
you can get a drawing or a symbol or a phrase but
never a name, names change
don’t take my name,
don’t make it yours, don’t make it say
who i am or who i’ll be, that’s not my name
what’s my name? you’ve never known it so
don’t you dare tattoo my name
hear my complaint, i’ll say it plain
don’t ever tattoo a name, names change
you can get a drawing or a symbol or a phrase but
never a name, names change
who you think i am is not the same
as who i really am, in my brain
reach down the sink and ask my heart,
“what’s your name?”
it’ll say “who are you to ask for such a thing?
that’s my creation, my impersonation
my identity to maintain
i’ll never fake it, never tell you
‘til you promise not to take it
nor mistake it for an open door, for conversations
through the floor. don’t say my name.”
so don’t you ever tattoo a name, names change
you can get a drawing or a symbol or a phrase but
never a name, names change

Aiden Nimer

has pulled himself back together when falling apart through music and writing. He loves art and storytelling in every form, and this love is matched only by his love for his pets. May come off as somewhat intimidating, but really he’s kind of a softie. ​Find his writing blog at smokenhoney.tumblr.com.