I identify with the color I was given at brith
Violet
Violeta
i loved it so much I dyed my hair the color
my sister's friend used to call me Mary Purple
and that made me mad
I'm not purple, I'm violet
what if my middle name was a different color
or a different flower
violets make me smile
for they are me and I am them
we grow under sunlight,
though the moonlight is just as beautiful,
why don't I think a rose is just as beautiful?
red is why purple exists
but I see the cliches that roses can bring
and why does something so beautiful
have thorns so sharp?
I don't want a lesson about love or pain
I just want to smell some goddamn flowers
but those flowers when put in a vase for my enjoyment
are really dying before my eyes
so am I selfish?
am I greedy?
I don't want to feel bad about liking the color purple
but I'll probably find a way
but that's okay
i identify with the color violet
For I am Mary Violet
you see my identity through my purple streaks of hair
and the way I don't really care
about what you think of me
no disrespect, I appreciate your opinion
but what makes me happy
will not always make you happy
so I'll show you who I am through my hair,
my fashion, my laughter
My name isn't Mary it's Mary Violet
My identity is in the color.
I gained the inspiration for this poem by eavesdropping about a conversation about colors. The title of this poem paraphrases part of the conversation, but the poem itself is my take on the line. I tried making this poem one stream of consciousness, a style new to me.
On a side note, shout out to everyone in my life who refers to me as Mary Violet. I've had people in the past tell me that my name is too long, and I've had people, after saying I prefer Mary Violet, still only use my first name. I've even had people tell me I should just go by Mary. At the end of the day, saying the name I introduce myself as is just showing me respect, plain and simple. This goes for any name, in addition to any gender pronoun that someone identifies as. Respect your peers, your coworkers, your community, and communities that surround you. Happy pride month!