“You must know that there is nothing higher and stronger and more wholesome and good for life in the future than some good memory, especially a memory of childhood, of home. People talk to you a great deal about your education, but some good, sacred memory, preserved from childhood, is perhaps the best education. If a man carries many such memories with him into life, he is safe to the end of his days, and if one has only one good memory left in one’s heart, even that may sometime be the means of saving us.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I do not want to forget who you are
Within the ever-changing exterior, I see a shadow
I do not want to forget that person, yet I often do forget
I do not want my words to drift
this is about me, not them or you
this is my labored error, my fault, and shortcoming
It is not without forgiveness and repair
I do not wish to forget who you are
I know who you are yet at times you escape me
You seem heavier at times
and other times appear blissful
Where is it that you go?
Are you seeking anything or are you content to wander?
It is no matter to me; I only hope you have found something
Something that keeps your mind moving amid the chaos outside
I hope no regret rests deep in your heart
For there is none in mine
Do not waste time illustrating errors of time gone by
I will not bear witness to this, do not waste your effort
I have been reborn in time for this
Gratitude pervades my soul
I am but a whisper with a crack in what was a steady voice
But my whisper is sunlight; the steadiness was a disguise
As for this sunlight, thank you for allowing it
Your softness is not weakness
It is what allows me to speak
Your softness listens deep into the darkness
Do not fear this dark; I beg of you
For it is this darkness that allows the sunshine to persevere
Instead anticipate what this night brings forth
Cling close to my chest if you wish, I will not allow darkness a home
And as I must not forget you, I urge you not to forget yourself
Recollections of small towns and big dinners
A storybook grandmother still vivid in the mind
Her cigarette filled ashtrays and working class love
Do not lose grip of these memories
For they are here in place of those that won’t stick around
They are warmth, truth, shadow and light
You hold onto these; you are not missing anything
And I will do the same
I will hold you as I know you
I cannot forget you even if I tried
I am so much of you; I grow closer to you
Do not read my words with sadness
I do not write them through tears or lost time
Time stays still so long as we remember
Time is but a moment passing by