What's In a Name

What is in a name?
Is it love and caring,
Or just a never-ending game.

You talked to us about dad,
Searing images in our heads,
Of all that was bad.

Outside looking on in,
It was never about us,
Only just all those men.

Money always in your head,
Along with drugs and alcohol,
Everything was spinning yet nothing was said.

As long as there’s good sex and drugs,
You still kept a clean name,
Cause you swept it all under a rug.

No one ever knew the truth,
It’s different behind closed doors,
They saw you suave and couth.

Manipulation was your way,
Just to gain our trust,
So we believe what you say.

Making promises you couldn’t keep,
Just hide behind your mask,
After all of this sowing you now must reap.

Turning your back on me,
Cause I saw through you,
Exposing for all to see.

Just a living, breathing lie,
And we all fell for you,
Yet your selfishness makes you cry.

Even breaking a mother’s heart,
She never saw it coming,
But she was told from the start.

You made everyone else look bad,
Taking the spotlight off you,
Yet your bravado is all too sad.

Wearing it with a smile,
When we are face to face,
Letting me forget for a while.

But now you are a stranger,
Leaving me with years of lies,
Tell me how to handle the anger.

So what IS in a name?
Only a forever lost dream,
For I no longer play your game.


(Placed 2nd for the contest "What's In a Name?" by Waylee)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Mister Roboto Avatar
March 5, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Great poem. I can see the progression in your writting. Its flowing easier for you. As you let down your wall as pure as you can let it all out, the writting will gain intensity and you will feel better. My wife read this poem and she loves it. You described how she feels about her so called "mom". I enjoy reading your material as it brings about strong emotions and visions in it's readers.
Brown Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 4:13 AM
Congratulations on your win in the contest "My Darkest Childhood Memory"sponsored by Walayee (Lay). Love, Carol
Richards Avatar
January 23, 2011 at 8:14 AM
The pain is always in each line of this poem. Well done, and congratulations in your win!!~ Carrie
Calhoun Avatar
January 23, 2011 at 5:15 AM
Hi RRR - Congratulations on your BIG WIN in Walayee's contest. Best wishes, KC
Pettit Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Great wording and rhyming in this presentation. No wonder it won in the contest.
Mehta Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 3:14 PM
Congratulations on the second place win in the contest, RRR
Kendrick Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Congratulations on your win this emotive work..Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Congrats Constance on your very special 2nd place win with this extraordinary entry and exquisite write dear heart.. enjoy another chart topping success with luv..
Devonshire Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Oh my, this is such a sad way to feel about your mother, Riley. I'm sorry you had to endure this as a child. Congratulations on your win in the contest. Love, Carolyn
Haick Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Congratulations on your great win in "Your Darkest Childhood Memory Contest" Heart touching, Riley..I pray that you're starting to heal. Always, Annalise
Whitlock-Ishway Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Congrats Riley on this win. Thank you for your courage to share... Lay
Neels Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 11:29 AM
A really dark write, sorry to hear that it is true as well.. Congratulations on your win in Lay's contest
Righting Riley - Shauna Riley Avatar
December 25, 2010 at 8:15 AM
Sydney.....no...unfortunately....this is true...but it's made me a stronger person today!
Beck Avatar
December 25, 2010 at 12:12 AM
compellingly dramatic...well written...your poetry is fresh and dynamic....i hope to find many more from you........by the way I hope this story is fiction, because if true it must have been extremely painful....regards Syd
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