Silhouettes & Moments (a poem)

It has been years since I last wrote a poem.

A few days ago, this wrote itself in my mind after experiencing being left out (once again), and I decided to share it, as vulnerable as it feels.

This reflects an all-too-common experience for me and so many others, and I hope it speaks to you in some capacity.

I do not post this for sympathy or any other well-meaning comments. I simply believe that we all feel this to some extent and felt compelled to share my experience in hopes that it can encourage others to live life differently.

With that said, I’m proud to debut Silhouettes and Moments…

To be remembered 
a legacy
a life well-lived 
is a common and 
noble desire 

A human one

To know that we mattered 
had an impact 
are worth the space
we take up in someone’s memories 

We wonder

Will we be a silhouette, 
a shadow, 
fading over time?
Or a vibrant montage 
persisting in their minds?

What am I now?

Will people think of me then 
if they don’t think of me now?

In the depths of our souls 
we desire to be
remembered 
considered 
included
loved 

While we’re still living 
While we know they remember 

Being overlooked 
forgotten 
left out 
abandoned 
alone 

Is there anything more painful?

How easily we forget 
the way it makes others feel 
like we feel
when they discover they
were not remembered 
didn’t matter enough 
weren’t worth it 

If I’m not worthy of their moments
am I worthy of their memories?

Are they worthy of mine?

I have one precious life 
and so do they 

Knowing this, 
how much more 
should we endeavor to 
remember 
consider 
connect
include
knowing others desire it, too 

After all, it is this which leads
to being remembered
when we are no longer living 

May we use our pain 
from being forgotten 
to do everything we can 
to remember others 

To include them 
and let them know 
they are remembered 
they are loved
they are worth my moments 

After all, 
if they don’t know we remember them now 
they won’t remember us later.