you, artist online. somebody has referenced you in conversation irl by your online handle and somebody else knew who you were talking about. somebody has kept up closely with your posts for a period of time like their morning paper. somebody found a music artist because of you, thinks of you when they hear them on the radio. somebody followed you years ago and remembers you randomly even though they can't find you. somebody has screenshotted and saved your posts and sent them in discord servers. somebody has made your drawings their lockscreen, added them to their favorites folder and looked at them when they're going through some shit, has sent them to their best friend and sparked conversation in private chats. your art in particular could be the source of a keen sense of nostalgia for someone. maybe they've even printed out your images using their home printer and taped them to their bedroom wall and they look at it every day and they never even told you. isn't that scary? isn't that awesome? remember this well.
submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known so that you may turn around and see the impact you leave and the light you cast on others.
