I think of neighborhoods in cities
where the sun rises out of duty and boredom.
Of dusted streets and deserted schools
named after kings in rural areas.
The more pretentious a place’s name,
the more it resembles a dump.
Names try hard to make up the gap.
to mask reality, to project lofty claims.
Like journal entries of unfulfilled desires,
or promotions of unhealthy diets.
Examine a name long enough, meaning appears.
Sometimes a name craves things to improve.