Dear Followers
by Vincent Mars
Most of you I like, some of you I admire, a few of you I find suspicious. I might even fancy three of you, have a crush on two, and be hopelessly in love with… But I shall not give any names.
I follow most of you because I genuinely like your prose, verses, paintings, or good sense. I follow some of you because I like who you seem to be. I also follow a few for no other reason that I love your Gravatar.
Whether you follow me because you like my posts, or my hat, or me, or just because I’ve followed you first,
Whether you press like after reading my posts or you don’t,
Whether you comment on most of my posts, or on a few, or on none at all,
Whether I know you by your first name and you know me by my first name or I don’t know your name and you don’t know mine,
Whether I’ve named one of my stories after you, or sent you a poetical email, or a song about a poet, or told you I liked your writing much and sent some imaginary troubadours under your window to sing you serenades and you thought I was flirting with you and kicked me out of your peculiar blog,
Whether you sent me a 50-word story, or a compliment, or asked for an inconspicuous way to leave me a message and I, romantic fool that I am, dared to hope you wanted to talk about waltzing butterflies and white rose petals, and it turned out you only wanted to point out a grammatical miss take I’ve made in a one-month-old post, I just wanted to say that…
We might not know each other well enough to call ourselves friends,
But we have stopped being strangers when we began to read each other’s blogs.
We are snowflakes in the same snowstorm, droplets of water in same ocean, leaves on the same tree, clouds on the same sky, colors in the same rainbow, mischievous atoms on the same giddy planet…
There’s something going on between us. Can you feel it too?
(Republished to celebrate getting Freshly Pressed!)
Yes.
Emm, I checked your blog after i saw a comment you’d posted on someone’s blog asking her to write a story about a boy with a hat, an elephant & many other stuff….. i *follow*ed you first because you donate $1 to charity.. and i love your “50-words story theme” too.
Brilliant! So very true. A connection of thoughts and ideas can make friends, colleagues or mentors of strangers. Love this.
What’s your favorite Shakespeare play British poetess?
Oh yes, boy with a hat.
Do you live in a castle?
Some might say that. I’ve transformed a shack into a refuge, a story that spans twenty years.
very true…and i like your 50 word posts
I tip my hat to you.
I’m only here for the invisible gift.
I will send you one each time you stop here!
“and have a crush on a fourth”
Your secret is safe with me, sir.
All I can say is that she wears a hat.
And, I believe here name is Coco J. Ginger
(just an assumption, please, prove me wrong. 
*her*
Ramu, if you walk around here you will notice that there are several interesting women wearing hats.
This post reminds me of don juan’s honey words and sweet tongue. Quite a hopeless romantic, aren’t you?
With gypsy girls like you running around doing mischief I cannot but be a romantic.
thanks for reading my blog.
You’re hilarious.
I hope I am hilarious in the second sense of the word, that is boisterously merry.
I have to agree. And your followers are so much fun too with their comments. I’m having too much fun.
)
Oh yes, there’s definitely something going on. If I were you, I would keep an eye on your windowsill this week
Oh! I have butterflies in my stomach already. Will you send a dried Tasmanian butterfly that turns to powder at touch as well?
That could be a little difficult to arrange…(besides, I prefer my butterflies alive). Perhaps if delivery is by way of an Aussie moonbeam, that might do?
Aussie moonbeam! That’s one of the sweetest phrases I have ever read.
I’ve decided to make a character in my story called Alarna Grayrose. She will be an adventurer who had grown up in a dense forest. If my story will become famous, will you sue me and ask for compensations?
Strangely enough, I don’t believe in suing people for a compliment! That sounds positively wonderful – and is undoubtedly something I would love to read. (Although I do think Alarna Rose has a nicer ring to it
)…
Anyway, just for that, here’s something for you from my windowsill http://wp.me/p2nmHs-5n
I meant Alarna Grayrose, not Rosegray.
The card is glorious!
I followed you because of the $1 you donate to charity, I comment because I genuinely loved your posts… and I’m also here for the invisible gift, they’re the best.
From now on I will keep the best invisible gifts for you.
In one word, yes. Oh wait, that was four words and two punctuation marks [8>([ I’m not sure which one of us followed who first or why, I’m just glad our virtual paths crossed.
i think you met through me.
That has a ring of truth to my feeble mind, Ms Ginger. On almost all of the blogs that I follow I see your beautifully smiling face either in a likes section or a blogs I follow section. Are you stalking me? LOL (or would it be the other way around?)
oh no
Coco is stalking people Kip, no doubt about it. She stalked me too, from the beginning. She saw me small and innocent. She picks vulnerable targets, I’m told.
LOL I once saw a comedic graphic that totally sums up my thoughts on being stalked by beautiful (in all senses of the word) women. It said “Are you stalking me? ‘Cause, if you are, that would be just great!”
Yes, I called Coco an evil poppy and in return she linked to one of my older posts. Actually, I think I called her an evil poppy after she linked!
either way you evil-poppied me. you poppifier of angelic girls and pretty flowers.
I would rather say that the girls are pretty and the flowers angelic.
Coco might be an adjective, but angelic is not the right one!
you make me blush a lot.
You’re really fishing for compliments now aren’t you!
Fine, fine.. I follow you for the thoughts you put so excellently into words, for the 50 words in which you tell a story and most of all for your hat
Everyone knows you are telling a lie. Look how you are blushing! The pink of courtesy.
You only follow me because I once told you to write some stories about hats and umbrellas and white elephants!
You don’t like my stories half as much as I like yours!
That is a reason also…
lets call it a truce. You like my stories n I like yours.
If Vincent was a writer, he’d be a copywriter.
Coco, curious to know why you say that? Isn’t he already a writer? A blog writer that is. And copywriter. Why a copywriter? (My curiousity stems from me having written copy for many years now).
Because he is such an excellent and brilliant writer in my opinion. This is pure copy writing skills, the way he drew us in instantly….and kept us reading to the last line of the post. But mostly it is a ‘funny’, since Vincent usually posts comments on my posts starting with “If coco were a….”
If Coco were a meteorological phenomenon, she’d be a rainbow.
If Vincent Mars were a book I would memorize each word start to finish.
Are you always so romantic? I cant help but think of your charm . Ishould write a story for YOU dear
Oh please do! It would make my day.
i’d love to be among those who make your day
I wrote the story, check out my blog
I feel I’m intruding on a Vincent-Coco dance. I’ll step out.
So you felt that? Good, I was worried it was just gas.
Oh my!
People, please know that I only ‘Like’ what I like.
Everyone knows it!
Interesting and true… Love read your posts and “like” what I really like.
I have no doubts about that.
After this post you have a million of troubadours singing you serenades under your window. Since it’s suppose to be a pleasant gift, tell us when you want them to stop!… and we’ll send a dozen of evil poppies.
And if that’s not enough, we’ll bring Shakespeare back from dead and send him too you as well!
What a lovely post! It needs a wall & a frame! I’d just eliminate that intimidating finger pointed right at me… It’s like one of those paintings where the portrayed person seems to be staring at you all the time…
You see, this is why your blog is pure vacationing!
I heartily accept the troubadours and the evil poppies, but I will have none of Shakespeare. I’ve heard he was a bad-tempered fellow!
The other finger-pointing painting I could find was ‘Uncle Sam Wants You’. I could have not posted that.
‘You see, this is why your blog is pure vacationing!’ The best compliment this blog has ever received! I’d hug you if you’d let me.
I can only hope to be one of the suspicious persons.
You are on your way to becoming one.
oh yea!
i like this one!!!YOU HAVE THAT SAME ISSUE ALSO!jolly! Well now i know i’m not an entirely singular soul in this macrocosm. 
A great story you’ve wrote! The bee buzzed around the circumference of his hat. Indeed.
Beautiful. I’m not as active around wordpress as you are, but a lot of this puts into words how I feel about my followers, too.
You mean you have a crush on one of your followers as well? Is he by any chance wearing a hat?
Hahaha perhaps
This made me smile. Thanks much for stopping by my blog. I really like what you have going on here. Your come off as confident and brilliant through your posts. Well done!!!
I’m neither confident nor brilliant, but my hat is magical!
I think I could develop a crush on you through your writing.
I wouldn’t mind that at all!
I like you because you are a truly unique and creative writer. Something about you draws readers in. Could be your hat, but whatever it is, you have me as a huge fan of your writing!
I blush! I also tip my hat. It’s definitely my hat. I am not sure how many S’s there are in possess!
After reading this, I think I’m falling in love with you.
I do not mind that at all.
Someone wrote recently a stroy about ’50 shades of grey’ and turned a millioner, you wrote ‘A 50 words story a day’ and thought you did not… wrong you are even richer in your soul and our eyes. Keep writing as we like your story.. I am looking to see one of my paintings decorating one of your future stories. Life is not about where you were unlucky or dropout from but where you leading to. Love your route Doron
I like you comment much Dorom. And I like you paintings too. I’ll keep an eye on you.
How beautifully eloquent..x
hello Vincent…
I rather worry we have a likelihood
of becoming familiar…
does this possibility please you?
or perhaps…give you a tantalizing spurt of dread…
<3
(I am under the impression this is how one offers friendship…)
lovely
Dang, you are good at this craft called writing, except in your case it’s not a skill but a gift. Love this post. Had me smiling at the very end. You ARE a cutie ~
Yay! Your blog is quite pink.
Nope, look again…it’s BLUE. I think you musta bin wearing your rose-colored glasses before… lol
Okay, a little pink only… Never hurt anyone!
I love the image you used!
http://horseflyandhoneybee.wordpress.com/
Beautifully written. Much more eloquent than the “Hey. Do y’all date me or what?” I would’ve thought up
I’m not sure this post was intended to get me dates…
(But if certain hatted women send me poetical gifts I shall not mind at all!)
A beautiful message
1000 followers is an amazing achievement! Does that mean you’ve given $1000 dollars to charity? Somewhere some lucky people are receiving your indirect acts of kindness. It never occurred to me to ask which charity/charities you donate to.
Sssst!
Congrats on the 1,000 followers. Love your 50 word stories. Short is good
. The skill of creating a piece which is complete within such brevity is a very delightful one.
You’re an awesome man, with a hat!
I follow you because I find your writing captivating. I don’t read much blogs, I mostly only follow blogs that are of use to me or when I can learn something from this person. But your blog has all of that, plus your writings are just so god damn interesting.
Greetings from Amsterdam and congratulations on 1000 followers!
Regards,
Daan
Daan, you are my new favorite Dutch person, surpassing van Gogh!
I tip my hat and click my heels!
You’re damn right, I am!
I am happy I was able to achieve that while I was still alive!
I’ve always found you interesting Vincent.
Thanks for this post. It made my day better.
Ms. Lambert, you haven’t posted poetry in a long, long time… When will you pick up the quill again?
Lately, college has made me almost want to almost kill myself… I’m still writing, it’s just I haven’t had the time to post stuff on here. But since I’m on break I’ll make up for lost time.
A veritable Pied Piper of Followers. Funny post.
Aww!
I still like this post
. Somehow I managed to remember the first version & notice the subtle changes…
Is there really anyone who doesn’t know your name? It’s right there, in front of everybody’s noses!
(Congratulations on the great amount of followers! You really deserved each & every one of them.)
*Steals Julie’s hat and runs away with it hoping that she will run after him to get it back.*
*Fortunately Julie can run faster without her hat, so she smiles, crying “Eye for eye, hat for hat!”, and starts the journey which she knows will surprise her at it’s end. She looses the boy out of sight and stops to look around. Deep breathe, eyes wide open, she stands motionless and clueless. She tries to listen but hears no sound. That’s when…*
*Her hat flies over her head. She rushes after it and catches it before it hits the ground. Sighing relieved, she puts it back on her head, tilting it to one side to appear coy. That’s when the hatted boy creeps behind her and picks her up in his arms and carries her away. He runs with her straight to the deck of a ship that departs right away and sails on distant seas until it is hit by a tempest. The ship is sinking… The hatted boy does not know how to swim… A great misfortune is about to occur..*
Will Julie swim to him? Will she throw her hand around his neck and keep him afloat? Will she save him? That is the question…
She turns her head to see the endless sea. Her heart pounds in fear. She turns back to him and sees him sorry but peaceful. That calm gives her courage. She puts her hands on his and whispers an order, “Nu pierde din vedere ochii mei”.
Their hats get blown by the wind and the ship sinks deeper. She nods. They jump.
Aww…
Jakiego koloru są twoje oczy?
Tego, który zmienia się pod wpływem światła i koloru.
Chic odpowiedź. I like it.
Jesteś moim ulubionym sprawującego pani, która czyta ten dziennik. Ale nie mów Coco lub ona będzie zazdrosny.
Gura mea este închisă .. și zâmbitoare.
Mi-e dor comentariile tale …
Ufff! Now that was a tongue twister!
happy to hear that at least you like my avatar!
I think your 50 word stories are brilliant–it usually takes me a couple of hundred words just to figure out what I am going to write about.
Blame it all on the hat.
I tip my hat!
I read your blog and “like” if it intrigues me or makes me laugh. I do love your 50 word stories… especially since I think I’d find writing only 50 words a daunting task & you make it seem so effortless, yet entertaining.
My next invisible gift for you shall be a stuffed camelopard for your child!
Now I hate you because reading this made me smile for a reason unknown to me and when it happens – it’s rare – I feel silly. :p
By the way, it’s a lovely post!
I’m quite puzzled by your first sentence.
Ms. Morbid, will you please elaborate?
I can try… If you can wait.
I shall wait!
So talented, Vincent…I know I am stating the obvious…
Nonsense! It’s because of the hat…
Hat=talent? I know what I’m buying myself next
I liked…because I do and have.
I comment because your writing intrigues me.
I follow because you are so very original.
The End
Nice of you!
You have great talent, so pleased to have met you here in wp ………love your 50 word stories too……xxx
*Steals your oil colors and runs away to give them all to Oliver Colors, who paints with egg tempera!*
Wow! *speechless*
How art thou speechless when thou hast words
To say to me that thou art speechless?
Haha! You know my point!
You’re funny! I can tell that you have haters because of what you wrote in your blog, am I right? Don’t listen to people.. Keep writing your heart out! You have talent on that. 
I don’t think I have a single hater. Why should I? This is a literary blog, not a political one!
I have many hatters who follow me though!
If Vincent were a fish Coco would be the water.
If Coco were water Vincent would be a dolphin.
Oh, VM, you are consistently charming, flirtatious, and inscrutable. Hello! How are you over there? Tell me some more real stories.
I am so happy that you’ve read this post Anna!
*Takes hat off and stares at the frosty sky thinking of…*
Are things going well with your novel?
I really want to read it.
Yeeeeaah!
It’s the insatiable romantic that I can’t get enough of!
Insatiable romantic… I like that! Especially since it comes from someone who dwells in a room numbered 69…
Beautiful post, and words, I guess i cannot add anytihing to what you have written, I like your stories, your short ones, because I’m a bit lazy…:), and you do seems to me someone who’s true, that’s beautiful, love also the paintings you choose to illustrate some of your postings, love the romantism in your writing, I guess it is a few of the reasons I like to read you.
I think i followed you because your way of writing and thinking was completely new to me and i have to say, it was rather intriguing.
What would make you give the reasons you followed someone?
I’ll share if you will.
I just like your hat………and the brain underneath it
You have quite the impressive following. But I am curious as to why you say you mean to say that you say what you don’t mean.
Brilliant, I love it, I love the picture and knowing why you follow people
Fancy hat!
Reading your 50 word stories made me think what fun Samuel Beckett would have had were he alive and writing today. This would probably have been his first effort:
–”I feel ill at ease with all this air about me, lost before the confusion of innumerable prospects.”
Or perhaps
–”All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Keep up the good work!
I lose minutes and hours to your romance…happily. As far as I can tell, romance or romance-of-once is bringing out the best in your writing, with all those “imaginary troubadours” and “waltzing butterflies.” It is special to find writers of today who can tackle the subject without cliche…who twist the words in unexpected ways. I hope the love and loss in your Mr. Colors is being set down in the pages.
Congratulations on getting Freshly pressed! I have recently started following you and I am new to this world of bloggery. I have enjoyed yours very much so far. Keep it up! Could do with taking some time to write my own instead of getting lost in blogs like yours!
xx
so much love flying around this comments section, are we still in wordpressland – or have we entered a higher state of being?
I have 2 blogs, a poetry blog where I follow anyone who comes to visit and likes any of my poems or any featured poem (http://poemsbyak.wordpress.com/). I also have a general blog for my serious followers and from this blog, I only follow blogs that I find interesting and deserve my limited time for reading. Yours is one of those blogs, congralations! Also, I don’t clutter up my primary blog (writeonce) with arbitrary posts. These are posts that I research and work out and put a lot of time in for a good read. So thanks for checking me out!
I can. And it’s true. Hello, friend.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
It’s awesome that you connect this way. I’m impressed by you and your writing and your hat!
I don’t follow that many blogs, but this one I like!
I tip my hat!
You may have taught yourself to write in English, but your power to communicate is innate.
Hello Vincent,
Thanks for youe ‘like’ of my painting…just discovered it…you write beautifully..will drop in from time to time for refreshment and inspiration
Patrick
Boy with a hat, uhhh, I think I love you!
In a moderate friendly none creepy kind of way. =))
Your avatar is most disturbing.
Same to you
It would be used to haul out all functions according to this need.
To automate this ardent but key point job, Field Service plan Management Software was developed.