These Are My JOTtings...

What's in a Name?

George stood firm as out-of-place and odd
upon the shifting Sand of social nod.
She met the needs of Chopin's fading life,
'til separation from him through great strife.

George Eliot was known as writer rare
because she made a name when few would care.
She broke the mold with publishers, obtuse,
who'd let no ladies find their writing use.

When George we read, it seems on surface male,
but strength of character is truest tale.
For clever girl will stand above the crowd
when seeking notice in the form allowed.

Most names like faces have a curb appeal.
To some we're drawn, while some repel we feel.
A rounded name like rounded face is good,
while most eschew a hard-edged block of wood.

A boy we know is Stanley Haselton.
This name with lines and points is just no fun,
but rounder clearly is one Jay O'Toole
by sight and tripping tongue as is the rule.

What's in a name? Apparently, a lot
as Romeo and Juliet forgot.
With Montague and Capulet at war,
young love was lost though readers may implore.

The name, the living face of what we write
appeals by symmetry or it's just blight.
For rounded cherub faces get the coos,
but asymmetry will leave the tongue bemused.

The adult life maintains this balance clue.
Both sides of face must keep its shape, it's true,
if leadership has its designs on you.
The names and titles of each writing piece
must draw us to some joy or we'll release
to look for others that our joy increase.

by Jay O'Toole
on July 25th, 2018