“On Names…Dziedzorm”

poetry

(Mina míakpɔ dzidzɔ, long live happiness)

To those who neither
speak the Ewe tongue nor
use its alphabet, Dziedzorm is how
you write my middle name, Jee-YAY-jawm
is how you pronounce it. To you
who do not speak the tongue
but know the modified alphabet,
Dʒiɛdʒɔm is what my people give you.
To us, who both speak the tongue and use
the alphabet, Dziɛdzɔm is what we call me.
“I Am Happy” is what we call me,
Happiness is my birthright.

Joy I am, see me on the pavement as a
stranger and I will have a smile on
my face and spring in my step. You
will feel compelled to say hi or at
least nod a greeting. I myself do not know
why it happens so, but it’s a good omen.
Know me well and the corners of your
own lips will be perpetually upturned.
Granted, you may grow to get crow’s feet
from all the laughter, but as fares
go, it’s not too high a toll to pay
for the love and warmth and felicity
that’ll be your company.

My people say it’s predominantly a
girl’s name. If that’s the case I wish
to be referred to as Duchess Daisyduke.
If happiness is girly then I shall be the
girliest man alive! I should like to be called
Sovereign Kween Dziɛdzɔm, Bearer of Mirth,
from Akome to Adidome to Accra,
from Roanoke to Radford to Gainesville,
to the far reaches of my dominion
that are waiting for my presence.
To all that is to come. Long live Happiness!

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Originally published in Washed Over…Or, Things Dedicated