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Notes About The Poem

Author’s Note: These spoken word adaptations are drawn from my original poem ‘He Has a Name’, first published on PoetrySoup in 2021. You can read the original version (link below). Time moves, voices shift — everything changes, nothing changes.

He Has a Name | Poem (poetrysoup.com)

The Poet’s Vigil

Inspired by He Has a Name, by Suzette Richards (2021)
I. Ink and Ashes
Steeped 
in the pain 
of his slain countryman,

surrounded by the t u r m o i l 
of real fears 
laid bare — 
exposed — 
on the s.t.o.n.e - c.o.l.d 
T A R M A C.

A poet dipped his I N K
in the spilled
T 
   E 
      A 
         R 
           S

Hero
or 
Zero?

He had a name — 
     he had a name …

II. The Son Who Stood
A mother’s S O N
stood up 
to be counted

in a time 
when voices 
were made 
M U T E;

indoctrinated — 

to the edge of 
S T U P O R.

A poet watches. 
Waits. 
Remains 
R E S O L U T E.

He had a name? 
     He had a name.

III. No Monument
NO statue 
would be erected 
in his name

because he wasn’t 
the first man to be 
s*l*a*i*n.

At the next 
roll call of 
C I V I L  U N R E S T

this poet’s words 
E A S E 
some of 
the N A K E D  P A I N.

He has a name! 
HE HAS A NAME!

givinglosspoetessspoken word

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Ghairo Daniels

September 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM

Excellent redo, Su. like how you’ve played with psychology of time-space & identity change within 1 contextual framework. Tesla & Einstein will give you a hug for this one. At edge of stupor is best line 4 me & how you’ve written TEARS : hero/zero ! Love this conceptual write of sadness 100%. This is what I mean when I say : bring Emotional Body, as entity, into Rationality 2 make humans Compassionate. Eckhart doesn’t give practical ways 2 do this, except thru meditation, but poetry can do it.x

Suzette Richards

September 24, 2025 at 6:05 AM

Thank you for reading and the high praise, Ghairo. Your detailed examples make me beam with pride. :-) It means a great deal to me coming from an accomplished poet like yourself. Your Spoken word has set the bar high.

Paula Goldsmith

September 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM

WOW!!! I enjoyed reading your wonderful/creative "The Poet’s Vigil" write with a great picture. "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a Blessed day/weekend writing away..........

Suzette Richards

September 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM

Thank you, Paula.