MONIKER | PEOPLE | POETRY

My Moniker’s Josh! And You?

“I’m not my name. My name is something I wear, like a shirt. It gets worn. I outgrow it, I change it.” — Jerry Spinelli

Josela Elmar, were my live birth names; I found out later, my mom shared them, too, with my brother, They do differ from my baptismal entries, Matilde, a saint’s name, and Josela, from my grandpa Jose.

I had a hard time writing them during my kinder years; so long when paired with my parents’ surname.

Finally, I have decided to change to the latter as needed, before leaving my alma mater.

My name history does not end here My classmates teasingly call me “the living saint” (Now, you’re smiling) Maybe because I’m so peaceful and silent;

A seatmate finally has it, called me ‘Josh’, from Josela, who says I don’t like it? short, unique for a female; though rugged-sounding.

Mind you, in the Bible means, God is salvation, but literally, “to banter good-humoredly”

Wait, I still have one secret a bit, My folks affectionately call me “Baby”; as gentle as a puppy, Oftentimes, throughout my toddler years, whilst I've grown up.

Therefore, I turn to you the favor, what’s in your moniker, how do you unravel?

P.S. This is not yet my bio. sort of an intro, if you’re more than eager, just tell me though; I won’t say ‘No’.

It’s really fun to know the story behind our nicknames, pet names, sobriquet, byname, epithet, cognomen, a Nom De Plume, or a Nom De Guerre; whatever you say it, especially, as authors and writers, and how you live up to it.

I wish to know yours, too. Thanks so much for reading! Stay well always.

©2021 Josh Balerite Acol All Rights Reserved