Don’t ask me for my nickname.
You don’t want this smoke.
Call me by my birth name.
It’s not tricky, you won’t choke.

If you ask me for a nickname
And say, my name’s “too hard”
I will call you out your birth name.
Oh, now you’re on guard?

My grandma gave me my name
It’s beautiful, unique.
Fix your mouth. Don’t misname.
Feel every syllable on your teeth.

I do not have a nickname,
So please don’t ask for one
Phonetics aren’t to blame
If you can’t say the name, son.

I said I don’t have a nickname.
For the love of God stop asking.
Like Beyonce’, “say my name”
Or my tone I won’t be masking.

I rebuke you and your “nickname”
A misnomer I did not ask for.
Retivia is my real name.
Don’t you ask me this no more.

There once was a girl who looked like her dad.
She told herself it wasn’t that bad.
But when she’d go on a date,
they’d show up late
then say, “I don’t date dudes, my bad.”

I’m (not) okay
and I’m (not) alright
My brain’s full of static
and my heart’s full of fright

I’m (not) okay
and feeling a little lonely
I don’t know how to fix it
I wish someone would hold me

I’m (not) okay
Maybe I will never be
Why am I like this?
What’s wrong with me?

I’m (not) okay
and I cried for an hour
over a broken fingernail
and I refuse to shower

I’m (not) okay
and I’m pulling out my hair
Now I’m bald and ugly
More fuel for the despair

I’m not okay
and I think I need help
I’ll go kicking and screaming
but I can’t do it by myself.

Three large Lego bricks.
One blue, one yellow, one red.
I have walked too far.

Pure white for new beginnings
Purple, royalty
Some orchids bloom in the dark

It used to be I couldn’t dream
of anything but the silver screen.
Thought I’d “write my way out.”
Now all that’s left is doubt
that my dream will be more than a dream.