by Sigrid E. Mortensen

© 2023

We have followers

Each one of us

A haunting chant that lingers through the day.

We have followers

Admirers, true

Who care deeply what we think

And say.

Ancestral lines

Braid threads behind us

Weaving love to wrap around us

Whispering hopes into our ears

And bold ideas that lift 

And guide us

Encouragements to stay our fears.

We have friends

Whose feet have not

Trod this sod in lifetimes

Yet whose keen attention marks

The passing of each hour

As closely as our very breath.

We have likes

And friends

And fans

Whose love with ours entwines

Whose light could not be 

Snuffed

Extinguished even

Yet

By bodily death.

Our followers require of us 

No thing

No posts

No tweets

No messaging.

They want

Just

The occasional nod

To quiet ghosts

A seeing

Knowing

Recognition

Of their active being.

“Notice us

Our love

Our sweetness.

Feel etherial kisses

Eternal caresses 

Brushed oh

So gently

Softly 

Upon your 

Beloved cheek.”