Fr. hocher: to move irregularly up & down,
to shake
Br. hotchpotch: variant of hodgepodge,
a mutton stew with vegetables
Because my grandmother began as a Hodge
I was given this unfortunate middle name,
the origin of much ridicule all through school —
not Georgie Porgie but Hodgie Podgie
puddin’ ‘n pie — to my recollection
no one ever tried to kiss me. I wore
dresses sprigged or plaid, smocked & sashed
so the boys could yank loose the bow
& force me to ask the teacher to retie it.
My family told the story of a stowaway
orphan who arrived in New York from France
& how one of our fathers looked at the satin,
ribbons, & lace & chose to adopt her.
Just like a fairy tale the oldest son
fell in love & married her despite
everyone’s objection. They blamed all
subsequent family flaws on this nameless girl
including the cousin they called a Jezebel
whose neglected daughter had to be adopted
& even then turned out badly. What’s worse —
to be mocked or not to be noticed?
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