A Celebration of Voices: Featuring Emmy Abel

At Femme & Fawn, we believe in the power of storytelling, poetry, and art to unite us in our shared experiences and diverse perspectives. This blog post is dedicated to all the incredible women who share their hearts and minds, fostering a space of love, support, and encouragement.

Today, we feature a poignant poem by Emmy Abel titled "The Follows," which delves into the struggle of seeking acceptance and validation in a world that often values the superficial over the fundamental human connections.

----
The Follows

She told me I wasn't good enough,
menacing glare in her eyes.
She pierced through layers of my soul
sharper than knives.
I look to her, pleading acceptance...
She chuckles at my demise.

My core falls inward,
my head falls in sorrow.

My existence withers
as I give my power to*
The Follows

That's what she goes by,
what people know her as.
If you don't have her acceptance,
you may as well be trash.

"You are nothing,
You are worthless,
won't get enough clicks.
Stop wasting your time,
you are not cut out for this."

"Acceptance from strangers is what I need!"
I beg and I plead.

"Please take me in, I promise, I will follow your lead!
I'll dedicate all of my hours to give you more power!"

She gazes behind me
and raises a brow- 
she shouts
"Who are these peasants around you,
and what do they want now?!?"

I turn my head to see
my children, my partner,
arms reached out to me.

They bear no grimace,
No eyebrows raised.
They cheer me on,
shouting out praise.

I turn back to The Follows to say
"Well, that's the team who is with me, every hour, every day.
They love me, support me
in all that I do.
They celebrate my wins,
& I do for them, too.
They hug me when I'm sad,
they stand by, steadfast.
They want what is best for me,
but question this path..."

"That's here nor there- I CAN DO what you ask!
Will you believe in me,
and support me...
as they have?"

The Follows' posture tightens,
she physically acknowledges
the presence of the stiff competition.

"You choose.
You cannot have both.
You work for me.

I own your mind
every hour, every day.

I will give you jolts of gratification,
euphoric moments of acceptance,
approvals from thousands who sit on their screens,
endlessly...
Doesn't this sound like a dream?"

---

Emmy’s poem captures a universal struggle many face in seeking validation from external sources, like social media, while we recognize the unwavering support of our loved ones, we still reach for more. 

**Join the Conversation:**
Feel free to kindly discuss your opinions of why we reach for external validation more often then giving more to those who love us. How do you navigate the balance between online presence and real-life connections? 

We also invite you to share your own stories, poems, and other forms of written word. Let's lift each other up and celebrate the unique voices within our amazing community.

If you would like to read more of Emmy's work you can follow her at @emwritesstuff on instagram. 

With Love,

Deanna and Adalynn Daughtry

a.k.a Femme and Fawn