somewhere in America

Introverted by nature,

she never felt like she belonged.

She wanted to fit in,

but when she’d introduce herself at parties

people would ignore her

and laugh behind her back.

Until one day in a high desert ghost town souvenir shop

on a dusty swivel rack In the corner

by the unisex restroom with knotted rope for a handle,

she saw her name on a keychain

for only two dollars and she felt like she belonged.

And that somewhere in America

there once was someone else

who’s parents had cursed them

with an unusual unpronounceable name

and maybe ancestry.com would say they are related

and they had a Facebook page with pictures.

7-1-22