<center> ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/3o752czUIXPlVboipq/giphy.gif) </center>

<center> Paper, 
a favorite pen, 
lost in thought, 
with the tabletop radio
playing something 
strangely atmospheric. </center>

<center> The knowing smirk 
of an old friend, 
lost in conversation
across the table at a pub,
gleaning deep meaning 
from the subtext 
of the words they speak,
a complex interplay 
of subtle shenanigans,
these will be the things 
we reminisce about, 
with a smile. </center>

<center> A life, so beautifully analog. </center>

<center> A million weird 
idiosyncrasies swirling, 
verbal ticks,
rebellious acts,
meaningless profanity,
unexplainable fears
and attractions,
the things that 
propel us forward,
make people love 
us or, at times, hate us,
things set us apart, 
and shape us into
exactly who 
it is we are. </center>

<center> Guard this
 imperfect perfection, 
do all you can to 
protect the 
memory of it, 
share your stories
with the children,
or what it means 
to be human 
might very well 
fade away. </center>


<center> ~Eric Vance Walton~ </center>

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## In Memoriam ##
Now for something completely unrelated to this poem. I just found out about the unexpected passing of a long time friend of a lot of people here, @dreemit. 

Linnet Iseley-McLaughlin (Dreemit) and I never met face-to-face but had been virtual friends on this blockchain since nearly the very beginning, in 2016. Many of you know she was a writer too, and a talented one at that. Linnet was simply a great human being, always extremely kind and supportive of me (and countless others) and my work and I tried to help her with feedback too whenever she asked. 

We always said we would meet face-to-face someday at HiveFest or for a hike with our spouses and I’m so sorry this won’t be possible now. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of her passing. Thanks Linnet for all of the kindness you showed me and spread so liberally on this blockchain. You will be missed and remembered by many. 

My heart goes out to her family during this time. Another potent reminder to treasure the time you have with the people in your life. 


All for now.  Trust your instincts, invest in you, live boldly, and take chances. 
 
 
 



















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<center> (Gif sourced from Giphy.com.) </center>

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<center> [![alt text](https://i.imgur.com/HxpLgqSl.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095HXB8WQ) </center>

Poetry should move us, it should change us, it should glitch our brains, shift our moods to another frequency. Poetry should evoke feelings of melancholy, whimsy, it should remind us what it feels like to be in love, or cause us to think about something in a completely different way. I view poetry, and all art really, as a temporary and fragile bridge between our world and a more pure and refined one. This is a world we could bring into creation if enough of us believed in it. This book is ephemera, destined to end up forgotten, lingering on some dusty shelf or tucked away in a dark attic. Yet the words, they will live on in memory. I hope these words become a part of you, bubble up into your memory when you least expect them to and make you feel a little more alive. 

[Pick up a copy of Ephemera today on Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095HXB8WQ)  



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<center> [![alt text](https://i.imgur.com/b5U8dqm.jpg?1)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PJPWK2W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) </center>

Most of us have experienced a moment of perfect peace at least once in our lives. In these moments we lose ourselves and feel connected to everything. I call these mindful moments. Words can’t describe how complete they make us feel. 

These moments are usually fragile, evaporating in seconds. What if there was a way to train your mind to experience more of them? It’s deceptively easy and requires nothing more than a subtle shift in mindset. My new book, [Mindful Moments](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PJPWK2W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), will teach you to be much more content despite the chaos and imperfect circumstances continuing to unfold around you. Upgrade your life experience today for only $15.99 on Amazon.com. 



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# <center> Let’s Keep In Touch </center> #

<center> ![](https://i.imgur.com/TjeTnuH.jpg) </center>



 
 
 
<center> [www.ericvancewalton.net](http://www.ericvancewalton.net) </center>
<center>

<center> ![](https://i.imgur.com/aieouS5.png) </center>