by K J Kindling.
Arcadia
by definition
is a countryside
that’s believed
to be perfect
-a paradise.
It was the only word
I got right
on a fifth grade
vocab quiz.
I usually got every word right
but I was too distracted
by how much
I loved the word
Arcadia.
Momma was mad
and asked me what happened.
“Did you even try Megan?”
“Arcadia,” I tasted sugar when I said it.
“What?”
“That’s my name now.”
I told her so plainly
I was almost surprised
she looked surprised.
“Call me Arcadia.”
I must’ve tossed rain
back into the sky
her mouth hung open
so wide.
My parents thought it was
a stage and that
I would grow out of it-
But I grew into it instead.