Hey y’all!

The writing prompt for Day 26 of National Poetry Writing Month is to write a portrait poem that focuses on or plays with the meaning of the subject’s name. This could be a self-portrait, a portrait of a family member or close friend, or even a portrait of a famous or historical person.

Here is my poem:

“FARAH” MEANS JOY

By Farah Lawal Harris, © 2023

My name means “joy,”

which was privately funny;

I smile lovely,

but lean melancholy.

I’m happy way more days

than I’m not, yet

depression lurks like

exes. Waiting to pounce

was my state, but

life is too great to waste.

Life is too precious

to not celebrate.

My name means “joy”,

my parents prophetic.

Not because I lack pain,

but cuz I make it poetic.