A poem on loneliness, connection, and leadership isolation — born from a spiritual experience I went through.
I notice that loneliness has come to visit. Not a guest I welcome with open arms, but also no longer someone I pretend not to see.
A familiar presence — much like how I felt when I was with you. And I know, I might feel this way again, even in the company of someone new.
So what if —
instead of resisting —
I simply befriend loneliness?
At least then, we’d have each other.
I think of all the others sitting quietly with their own ache.
That makes two of us.
Three.
Four.
Seven billion lonely ones.
I picture each person lining up behind me, one by one — a long chain of quiet hearts.
I feel the warmth of a hand rest gently on my back — warm, light, steady.
The person behind me feels a hand on theirs. And the next. And the next.
Each one of us held.
Each one whispering:
“I’ve got you…”
“…And I’ve got you.”
And you.
And you.
And you.
I feel their presence.
I sense their energy.
Their quiet strength.
The invisible thread that connects us all.
I am not alone.
We are not alone.
So, loneliness —
next time you knock,
I won’t pretend not to be home.
I’ll let you in.
And to remember our precious moment —
the one where you and I made peace —
I’ll snap a Polaroid:
just me and my old, new friend:
me and my loneliness, together.
