Somewhere between LAX, Charlotte and Baltimore
I lost my identity
in the airplane engine’s intake
(or in the Starbuck’s line)
I was sucked in
spun about
spit out on a cup
what remains are three letters
that don’t belong to me
I finger them
striving for meaning
squinting for an answer
“L” always a sexy letter
that looks better curvy
saying “linger on my loops”
“I” is almost floating away
in a cloud of after thought
at 30,000 feet
“Z” a backwards s
the sound buzzes through your teeth
rather than hisses
and where am I?
Drowning in remembrance
attached to another name?
or talking in strange tones
after too much helium?
gather up your bags
whoever you are
there is another leg to life’s journey
regardless of the name
Ever had your name spelled wrong? Been called something else? How do you respond?
penned in moon dust 
My name is spelled wrong all the time,in my original country they couldn’t pronounce it,here they always put an ‘R’ which does not belong, I once told them if they spelled my name wrong they wouldn’t be able to get through. Some got it others don’t. I’ve given up trying to correct them. Your poem about the name is really very interesting Leslie,thank you for the lovely poem.
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson Second Line View of the News.
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when I was a sophomore in HS I was constantly being called Toni by this gal who thought my name was Antionette – drove me nuts but when she threatened to punch me out because I was lying to her.. I figured what the heck, who cares and I became Toni
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Well the renaming did provide inspiration for a fine poem. 🙂
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As I held the cup and took a photo, I thought everything is “fodder for a poet”
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A cool write…love “there is another leg to life’s journey”……
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Thanks Sherry. I had a little fun
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__Well… they listed the “L” properly and, of course, the “L” might indicate Lunar. I suppose your name could have been mis-heard as, Lizlie? Me? I really like “Moonie!”
__Keep on, keepin’ on, and havin’ fun, Moonie! Best wishes, as always, _m.
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I kinda like moonie – there are fewer of those. Smiles M
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Loved this and what you did with that moment of renaming! My oldest daughter wouldn’t respond to her teachers when they called her by the wrong name! She’s kind of feisty.
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good for her!
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