Why I BeReal

A Poem About Connection by Kirsten Harrison

Why I BeReal

“We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead — you first,” “I like your hat.”
-Danusha Laméris

Every single day,
a call to connection arrives on my phone.
The task is simple —
take a selfie
and then hold still
for one more photo —
the view from
where I am.

A moment to see
and be seen
in our ordinary moments.

What if these moments are the true dwelling of the holy?

My niece as she writes her sexual autobiography —
an assignment for her college psych class.
Her mom, one of my favorite people on earth —
each day in a lovely curation of clothing and jewelry —
her smile feels like home.

A friend who is walking through grief upon grief
got her Christmas tree up early —
today she looks delighted.

Bernard and his Siamese kitten, Tay —
both savoring their new togetherness.
Amy and Lucy Dog-us —
both cozy in matching fuzzy, hooded onesies.

I had no idea my uncle goes to the water
almost every afternoon.

If I’ve spent two or more days
in a row
in my pajamas
in bed,
I’m tempted to opt-out
of this tiny invitation
to share our quotidian moments –
but we have so little of each other now.