to speak to someone,

you must first address them

or they will never know

it's them who you are speaking to

that old name

the one your parents gave you

the one they yell when they

mistreat you

that is not your name

that is not you

so i address you by your real name

because i am not trying to speak

to the facade your parents

have created

the broken child they have

silenced

the lie that the world

has groomed

no, i am not speaking to the mask

that you wear everyday

i am speaking to you

so i will address you

not a cardboard cutout

of who you are

a picture is worth a thousand words

but a single word can mean everything

so you are ollie

and that is all i know you to be