The Refutation of a Reputation

Who do you love? Who do you like? 

Have you heard about Josh’s sister? 

I heard she skipped a grade. 

Have you heard about Krista’s daughter?

I heard she’s quite the chef. 

Have you heard about the Johnson’s girl? 

I heard she’s doing great things for the community. 

She sure is following in their footsteps. 

A night alone, a night without them. 

I’ll assert my identity or grow into the wallflowers.  

Strangers, everywhere. 

Masks disguising their faces, their judgements. 

I don’t know them. 

They don’t know me.  

Who will you be tonight? 

Well, that’s up to you.  

They like me! 

Wait, who do they like? 

They like Juliana. 

Not Juliana Johnson, just Juliana. 

Reputation precedes me back there. 

But here I’m a blank canvas. 

I’m a story waiting to be written. 

No need for refutation anymore. 

My last name does not carry shame. 

No, it carries pride. 

It’s on my I.D. card, but it’s not what identifies me. 

They have made me who I am until now. 

But I can take it from here. 

We’re growing up, becoming independent. 

Realize it or not, a new generation creates a new legacy. 

And this new legacy is mine. 

Never forget your roots.  

But roots are meant to grow into more.