By Any Other Name

There are given names,  
sir names, and maiden names.  
Then their are nicknames,
which can stick with you for life  
and can be more valuable
than your other names.  
 
Friends from childhood:
Fuzzy Brawley, Buzzy Gibson,
Cha Cha Wiggins. Chick Chitwood,
Brain and Stunt Man,
My cousins Boo Boo, and Bud-o.
 
Coworkers usually
unceremoniously earned them:
Speedy Russell, Sprocket,  
Dummy, Uncle Ned,
D-Love, Germ-X,
and Coconut.
 
The military is prone  
to give nicknames
to just about everyone;
Babe, Bubba Thomas, Fish,  
Splinter Monty, Porkchop,  
Hyper Dog, Double A,  
Wild Bill, West Coast,  
Fat Baby, Daddy Don,  
Redneck Russell, Wire Nut,  
Fireball, Stump, Mega, Skippy,  
Mad Dog, Super Dave, Dollar Bill,  
Butch, Tre' and Bones Foreman.
 
Then there are  
the terms of endearment:
Sugarfoot, Baby Cakes, and Sweetheart,
Honeysuckle and Puddin'
I even knew someone  
who's mother called them
Sugar Pooty  
when they were
a baby, but it didn't
stick.
 
I guess when you are
given a nickname
you know everything
will be okay.
You are part of the crew,
the gang, the family.
You're accepted, wanted,
appreciated and  
maybe even loved,
and that's a good
place to be,
ain't that right Flat Wheel?