March 2023

When I was small, Around preschool, I was called Anusha. For some reason, One that I still do not understand, My mother and father decided To change my name. In a legal process which took ages, And tons and tons of pages, My name transformed Into something new. Suddenly, I was Shivanshi. I said it to myself, Trying it out on my tongue. Shi-van-shi, Shi-van-shi. It sounded good. Strong and firm. It takes a while for people to get it. They say, Shrivanshi Or Savanshi. Some people call me Shiv, Just because they are too lazy To take the time to say it right. I am called other things as well. Things that I like. By my friends and family, I am called Shivi. To me it sounds fun and playful. Every time it is said, it reminds me of Our closeness. By my best friend of all, I am called Ivi. A short name, So short that it couldn’t possibly represent all of our friendship, But it does.