The Nature of Memory

Memory…
It’s such a fickle thing
As if it has a mind
And agenda of its own

It can make a person smile
Or even laugh at thin air
Other times it can make a person burst
Into tears
At the smallest scent
The quickest flash of color
Or the slowest tune

Memory can help people forget
Forget the horrors
Forget the pain
Forget the tears

Yet, this forgetfulness creates an anxiety
An anxiety to know what happened
What was felt?
What was said?

Sometimes these forgotten memories
Can be remembered
Giving light and killing the mind’s fog
Sometimes it’s for the best
And sometimes it’s for the worst

But for the most part
The memories remain lost

Maybe it’s for the best
Maybe the horror is too much
For the heart and soul of a person

Maybe, just maybe
Memory really does have a mind of its own

And maybe, just maybe mind you
Memory knows how to take care of the human spirit
Better then the spirit can take care of its self
Just maybe…

-3/30/02

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