Remember Me

by Maeve Marthinsen, Edited by Gail Kaufman

To be remembered

It’s all we really want

Whether we realize or not

It's not vain or selfish

It just is

Something we all swim through

Gripping to us like sickly sweet honey

We slap five dollar stickers on water bottles and laptops

We paint our walls and cars different colors

We plaster our names on buildings and book covers

We do it as if we are shouting into the void of the universe

“Hi! Hi! Hello!

I was here!

I did things!

I was somebody!

People knew me and I knew people!

For a moment in time I existed!”

Whether you want your name in a history book or simply an obituary

You want to be remembered—

Do you sense it now?

That carnal feeling?

Your voice amongst billions screaming

“Please,”

Until your throat is raw

“Remember me.”