i am not my name

 i could have been a number,
identifying my ignominy,
numbers could be sequential,
there is something definite about them,
numbers are impartial, based on reason,
two plus two can never be five,
numbers would keep me in my place,
I can’t jump the gun,
names on the other hand
bring with it the weight of the ages,
the wages of sin,
the collective sins of the fathers,
it’s my cross to bear,
names, not just an identity,
a badge of honor or shame,
a dividing line that sets me apart,
you wear the number of the beast,
and you will want to know my name.