1000 days 1000 humans — a poem
The city of Blog, where everybody and their dog is blogging
I’m walking around in the city of Blog
and I’m told on this day that
a thousand folk
are following my trail.
Can’t be true but hear me trill
in my pixie piper cloak.
And some who follow follow closer
than a millibar
and others follow from afar.
Most of you stroll silently and randomly
some of you glance at me, some of you don’t.
Some of you murmur and some of you shout
some of you don’t very often get out
and some are in groups and some fly solo
and some don’t really and truly follow
they simply ticked a box one day —
but even so
a thousand! what a thrill!
I’m not Top of the Pops for you see
millions have millions more readers than me.
And here’s what I say on this portentous day:
you are not “mine” and we all
take our turn at the leader’s role.
None of you follow like ducklings or sprogs.
Gurus have followers, leaders have followers —
not Old Lady Popsicle out on the blog.
Our paths have crossed, that’s what it means.
Some of you are passers-by
some of you are colleagues
and some are kindred souls
and none of you are trolls
some of you are readers or thinkers
or friends who I love and adore
and some of you are all of the above and more.
So be who you want, go where you will—
don’t follow my lead or my lessons and please
say, “Hello, here’s what I’m thinking.”
I do want to know.
That’s what I’m here for, that’s what I like
to hear in the city of Blog.
Congrats to reaching this milestones. I noticed when I first subscribed to your blog that it wasn’t very far away. I love what you write and how you do it. So I certainly didn’t tick that box by mistake, though I sometimes stroll silently. Have a wonderful day 🙂
What a perfect (and unique) response to my poem. Thank you.
🙂
Rachel, you have given us a most wonderful poem. I am smiling with delight and will keep this
among my favourites. Your sense of humour, humility but also facing facts – people like and love what you write.
Your title reminds me of the song ” Tower of fame” by Tom Jones. Subjects are totally different though.
You will keep getting more of those traipsing after to see what you write next. So celebrate that you have so much to give. 🌻.
Miriam
Delphini, you have more than returned the compliment with your lovely words. I feel heard.
Congratulations! It’s a landmark achievement. 🎉
I love following you – you’re a kind of touchstone, but not in any heavy way … no pressure! I appreciate your verve for life and want to be like you when I grow up. Thanks for being you and thanks for your refreshing poetry.
Kay, I am so moved by what you say. Thank you back for reading and for leading in your turn.
Hi Rachel – beautiful fun poem … land of blogs, where there is a City called Blog … I am a follower of people to whom I can relate – not people I need to flip past … I think I’ll always be this way – congratulations on your milestones – cheers Hilary
Thank you Hilary. You know where you’re going, which is good, because the City of Blog is fraught with alleyways and dead end streets.
Congrats! I believe I’m 1001! My lucky number. You may not wear your pixie piper flock for one more day!
Should have been you may now (not not) – jeez, can’t stand autocorrect.
Autocorrect is one non stop comedy show and especially frustrating for a poet.
I hate to admit it but you’ve got us all summed up.
And you made me laugh aloud.
Delight to read the poem. Everyone of us can relate to it. Congratulations and wishing you many more 0’s on the right side of 1000
Many thanks.
A poem about followers – must be a first! Hope you have many happy encounters in the city of Blog.
Thanks Margy. You set the standard for happy encounters 🙂
Congratulations. I am very happy to be wondering the streets of the city of blog with you.
It’s very good to have your company, Dan.
A wonderful narrative. I seem to fit all those categories at different times. I like being the ‘follower from afar’ who jumps into the traffic on occasion. But I also like going to the head of the line once in awhile, and you describe it so well.
True, we have our moments filling all those roles. And they’re all legit. Yes, I see you leading the charge on occasion.
I love that you put down all my wonderings about those followers in a poem.
Oh good. So I’m not alone…
Delightful. I nominate you to be Mayor of City of Blog. Think of what an honor that’d be! 😉
I thank you for the nomination and respectfully decline.
Love the poem. Glad its not just me that wonders about all those following and what sort of followers they are. Just imagine if you held a Blog City party and they all turned up!
That’s the thing about Blog City: there’s room for everyone.
Congratulations on 1000 though, an incredible achievement.
Well, it has given me the push I needed to freshen up the website (soon) and to take my blog a bit more seriously 🙂