Say My Name
Say My Name
Image by Gemini AI
I used to think my name was too long. Too complicated. But now I see it’s one of the most beautiful parts of me. This piece is a love letter to that name, every part of it, every story it holds.
Image by Gemini AISay my name.
But say it right.
Say it like a prayer that made it to God’s ears
and came back wrapped in skin and breath and destiny.
Say it like thunder if you must
because this name didn’t come easy.
It came after waiting,
after hoping.
because this name didn’t come easy.
It came after waiting,
after hoping.
Oluwatomiwo
God is enough to watch over me.
Not just poetry, but prophecy.
Because even when the night gets too loud
and my steps feel unsure,
this name reminds me
that I am covered.
Even when I don’t practice it,
I speak it.
I claim it.
I walk in the echo of a God who watches over me
when I’m not watching myself.
Not just poetry, but prophecy.
Because even when the night gets too loud
and my steps feel unsure,
this name reminds me
that I am covered.
Even when I don’t practice it,
I speak it.
I claim it.
I walk in the echo of a God who watches over me
when I’m not watching myself.
Oluwatoyosi
God is enough to rejoice in.
And trust me,
I've tried to find joy in a thousand other places,
but none of them danced like He does.
None of them stayed.
None of them held me with laughter and silence,
with healing and patience.
He is enough,
and I am enough because He is.
And trust me,
I've tried to find joy in a thousand other places,
but none of them danced like He does.
None of them stayed.
None of them held me with laughter and silence,
with healing and patience.
He is enough,
and I am enough because He is.
But then…
there’s Abeke.
Oh… Abeke.
They say it means
"we begged to have her,"
"we pleaded to care for her."
there’s Abeke.
Oh… Abeke.
They say it means
"we begged to have her,"
"we pleaded to care for her."
I call it proof
that I was wanted
before I even arrived.
That my father’s heart prayed me into existence
that I’m not just a daughter.
I am the desire fulfilled. A promise kept.
And then there’s Arawole.
"My people come in."
That’s not just a name.
It’s an invitation. It’s the way my family opens their arms
before they ask questions.
It’s how I love
loud, wide, warm.
Because my name has always been a welcome mat,
even before I understood why.
"My people come in."
That’s not just a name.
It’s an invitation. It’s the way my family opens their arms
before they ask questions.
It’s how I love
loud, wide, warm.
Because my name has always been a welcome mat,
even before I understood why.
People mispronounce me all the time.
They call me OmoToyosi
when it’s Oluwa, not Omo.
I smile, sometimes.
Sometimes I correct them.
Sometimes I let it go.
But deep down, I know:
This name is holy.
It doesn’t shrink to fit.
It doesn’t apologize for its syllables.
It is long.
It is strong.
It is me. So if you hear my name,
know this:
I didn’t choose it.
But it chose me.
It clothed me.
It claimed me.
It carved out space for me in a world that forgets.
They call me OmoToyosi
when it’s Oluwa, not Omo.
I smile, sometimes.
Sometimes I correct them.
Sometimes I let it go.
But deep down, I know:
This name is holy.
It doesn’t shrink to fit.
It doesn’t apologize for its syllables.
It is long.
It is strong.
It is me. So if you hear my name,
know this:
I didn’t choose it.
But it chose me.
It clothed me.
It claimed me.
It carved out space for me in a world that forgets.
And now?
Now, I wear it like a crown.
Like a verse only Heaven could write.
Like a name that carries the weight of joy,
the ache of waiting,
the shout of arrival,
the arms of belonging. Oluwatomiwo Oluwatoyosi Abeke Arawole. Say my name.
Say me.
Now, I wear it like a crown.
Like a verse only Heaven could write.
Like a name that carries the weight of joy,
the ache of waiting,
the shout of arrival,
the arms of belonging. Oluwatomiwo Oluwatoyosi Abeke Arawole. Say my name.
Say me.
Written by me
Call me Toyo. Or Oluwatee. Or whatever love sounds like to you.
Thank you for reading.
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