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MAN   IN    A    SUITCASE

Used to joke  how Gregory Peck  was my father                   
But never knew why I was called Sydney.                                             
Or why  Australia’s city was named after me -                       
And a dozen other cities around the world  farther.              

My dad surely was where mum’s love-treasure  was spent,   
But died before I was born  and before they could marry.      
Her family hated this guy but she was  tough, didn’t worry,          
And named me after the man for whom she was meant.        
     
She never discussed  her  feelings buried, 
Showed  no photos, never talked about him to me.      
Broken hearted I guess.   Who wouldn’t be?
I never knew  the man she would have married.

I didn’t really cotton  to  the name I had.
I preferred  Alan or Steve or maybe Vincent
And a dozen other names  meant  for a gent,
Regardless of who may have been my dad.

I  also disliked the name for its ambiguity,  this name Sydney
-  Sort of amphibious.  A name in American movies - for women,
It could swim across the ocean and in British movies - for men,  
(Always  small-time crooks who were chirpy and cockney).

No, I never liked the name.  It wasn’t  worth a jitney
To me;  and I used other nicknames for many a year,
It was only used in mockery for it was relatively rare.
Even today,  “Syd”  is ok;  but please, never call me “Sydney”

But I found a  dusty  old suitcase and lifted its lid  
After she passed away.   Her life’s  treasurechest, 
And out rolled some  gold,  photo of old soldier dressed
In uniform: he looked like me:  the name on back  was  Syd.

That moment  -  Damascus Road - change of heart.
Now,  proud to have it, say it, hear it.  Nicknames I forbid.
I like it  especially when my loving wife  says  “Syd”  
Now with this name  I’d never part.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Written for Linda-Marie’s contest  WHAT’S  IN  A  NAME?
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