O, Uninomous Crit

Composed for Crit; and yes, that is her name, on the electoral roll and all.

[1998]

Of all the women in the AICSA choirs,
Undoubtedly the most beloved is
None other than the one whose name inspires
Inventiveness for me, the sonnet whiz.
No woman uses symbols in her name,
Originating on the net, like Ch@s.
Moreover, none would rort the spelling game
Outright, as Gifford/Gyfford/Gyforde has.
Unless you’re counting Charis, who is not
Seen widely in a Uni choral role,
Creative self-renaming hasn’t got
Remarkable acceptance, on the whole.
It falls, in fact, to one to bear the flame:
To proudly stand without a second name.