Oh, Wow

A person you only knew
As some patterns in language
And a handful of photos

Has lived a long life and died.
Because of the published words
And the fans of her language,

The person draws accolades,
Also in richly patterned
Language, which you add to what

You know and will soon forget
Of yourself and this person
You never met in the flesh.

For a few moments, you might
Think of all the souls you know
Only as patterned language.

Spare a thought for the patterns,
None of them persons, merging
Through, then diverging from, you.