I wrote this poem in 1993. It is about me, about my wisdom, and about my growth as a person. And how nothing can bother or harm me unless I allow it to. And how I grew beyond everyone’s expectations, doing more than I ever expected of myself.

Only By Name

Only by name
Do you represent me
It is the surname of the man I married
Although it does not depict me

I alone decide
I alone define
I say how I will conduct my life

Not my in-laws
Not my husband
Nor my mother, father, sister or brother

I alone choose
I choose my nature
And I choose how I react

Sticks and stones could break my bones
But I won’t let anyone harm me
I stand taller,
Shine brighter,
And look beyond in sweet love’s reframe

It may sting for a moment or two
But I rise above
I ascend into the light of the celestial starscape,
And the stars that shine down upon my face
I find ways to spring back.

The earth could be shaking
The trees trembling
Death dangling at my door

These lessons made me
They molded me
They shaped a wise, wise soul

Thus, I give thanks daily to all my teachers
And, to all the people who helped build my character
They helped me reach my limitless potential
They helped me to reach my symphonic chords
They helped me clarify my boundaries
And they helped me take control

Because of this,
I will always follow the melodious break,
The stanza of a phrase
The rhythm of the ocean
And the way it ebbs and flows.
I will always recognize this within my veins.

It is what I posses.
It is my grounding force.
It is my name and being;
As I am the truth,
Because it is only by name.

You can order my poetry collection, including this poem, here: Reflections of My Heart.

Original text ©2025 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved. Image by Mathias Krumbholz via Wikimedia Commons.