There are some days when you forget your own name.
And you KNOW there are things you are supposed to know. But they are like dreams when you wake up too suddenly. Or the name of your neighbor as you grew up. (Shirley). Just out of reach.
It's either the start of dementia, or the continuation of the long slow decline. From alcohol or age, you can't tell anymore. Not that it matters by now. You spend your childhood ignoring all the warnings, and your 30's laughing them off, and your 50's backpedaling, and by now everything is too late. You have been warned.
One day you forget the name of your book. Of your favorite song. But then you remember having to look it up, in the Ws, but not the Wh's, like Why or What or Who. It's a W-I. With. With Plenty of Money. And you.
Back when you lived hardscrabble. When everyday you were haunted by not having ENOUGH. And those few glorious days, few and far between when you had money to pay the band AND for gas, and money for the motel AND you had money enough to EAT on the road. and maybe even money enough to buy her a pair of cowboy boots that made her stand sexier.
I keep your picture. Even if I can't remember who you are. You led me like a clue, into who I used to be. I don't remember the particulars, but it was a glorious life.
I have the earth, dear. And I have the sky.
And you KNOW there are things you are supposed to know. But they are like dreams when you wake up too suddenly. Or the name of your neighbor as you grew up. (Shirley). Just out of reach.
It's either the start of dementia, or the continuation of the long slow decline. From alcohol or age, you can't tell anymore. Not that it matters by now. You spend your childhood ignoring all the warnings, and your 30's laughing them off, and your 50's backpedaling, and by now everything is too late. You have been warned.
One day you forget the name of your book. Of your favorite song. But then you remember having to look it up, in the Ws, but not the Wh's, like Why or What or Who. It's a W-I. With. With Plenty of Money. And you.
Back when you lived hardscrabble. When everyday you were haunted by not having ENOUGH. And those few glorious days, few and far between when you had money to pay the band AND for gas, and money for the motel AND you had money enough to EAT on the road. and maybe even money enough to buy her a pair of cowboy boots that made her stand sexier.
I keep your picture. Even if I can't remember who you are. You led me like a clue, into who I used to be. I don't remember the particulars, but it was a glorious life.
I have the earth, dear. And I have the sky.
“I Keep your Picture” by David Dundas
