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Why I Changed My Name
by
Phyllis Wax


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My father-in-law calls me Lois,
his other son's wife.

Mail comes addressed to
Phyllis R. or Phyllis M. Wax.
I don't have a middle initial.

My daughters call me Mom,
my sons-in-law Mother.
To my grandchildren I'm Meme.

To the waitress at the diner
I'm Honey or Dear.

Some people confuse me
with my good friend. To them
I'm Helen.

Today the mailman brought
some coupons for Yolanda Wax.  
I kind of like that.
Please call me Yolanda.


© by Phyllis Wax.
Used here with the author's permission.

 


Phyllis Wax writes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.  A lover of warm weather, she watches the snow come and go, waiting and hoping for spring. From the window in front of her desk, she observes an abundance of migrating birds, several generations of turkeys, and the occasional fox, deer, and raccoon. Some of those make their way into her poetry. Phyllis has read her poems on the radio, in coffee shops, in libraries and bars, and her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies.

 


Post New Comment:
KarenGM:
I recently read your poem Why Don't They Man Up in Mobius. Love your voice, your thoughts, your work! Do you have any collections?
Posted 05/26/2023 12:08 PM
TheSilverOne:
Fun poem, Phyllis. Often considered changing my name. Doris Bezio
Posted 10/23/2021 03:32 PM
Anastasia:
"Phyllis" is a lovely name, as is "Yolanda"!
Posted 10/22/2021 02:06 PM
Jo:
Yolanda has a ring to it. Ill remember to call you that. Cheers!
Posted 10/21/2021 10:34 PM
CamilleBalla:
Fun poem about name identity.
Posted 10/21/2021 02:38 PM
shirley.bruton@gmail.com:
What fun, Yolanda! You brought humor into my morning. My husband has a few nicknames for me. And since today is my birthday, I'll sign off with one of them. Cakes.
Posted 10/21/2021 12:10 PM
peninsulapoet:
Good work Yolanda!
Posted 10/21/2021 11:51 AM
Sharon Waller Knutson:
I love this delightful humorous poem. My favorite lines are "My father-in-law calls me Lois, his other sons wife" and "Call me Yolanda"
Posted 10/21/2021 11:43 AM
RonPoems:
Great reflection on what happens every day, everywhere.
Posted 10/21/2021 11:42 AM
Janet Leahy:
Hope the coupons were for something tasty and delicious, or for a fine bottle of wine, Cheers Yolanda!
Posted 10/21/2021 10:56 AM
Lori Levy:
Great ending!
Posted 10/21/2021 09:37 AM
cork:
At the end of a morning bulletin to family and friends, I could sign so many names but decide on Dad.
Posted 10/21/2021 08:53 AM
Joan Luther:
What a fun, relatable poem! Im Joanne, Joanie, John (to my voicemail transcriber), etc. Best wishes with your name and looking forward to more of your work!
Posted 10/21/2021 08:52 AM
MLove:
I feel your pain! After 59 years of saying "I'm Margaret" and getting the response, "Barbara?" I finally shortened it to Margo. Problem solved. Congratulations Yolanda - I love it.
Posted 10/21/2021 08:27 AM
Maryann Hurtt:
A laugh is a good way to start a morningThank you, Ms. Wax!
Posted 10/21/2021 08:17 AM
Larry Schug:
What's in a name?--an apple could just as easily be a plum. Today, call me Lorenzo.
Posted 10/21/2021 07:00 AM
Appreciate:
Very nice!
Posted 10/21/2021 05:47 AM
paula:
Dear Yolanda, what fun! Good to hear your voice.
Posted 10/21/2021 05:06 AM


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