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the death of memory
that must be
the final
indignity
the thought
that comes
and goes
explodes
vanishes
like some
mythical
gossamer thing
that drifts in
your mind the
vision that
completely
disappears
as if some
invisible
sprite had
swiped it
from some
troublesome
cobweb
in your brain
and hustled it
away
that image
that feeling
that number
that person's
eyes nose mouth
that remembrance
that funny thing
you said at
some raucous
party a few
years ago
or was it
many years ago?
you can almost
hear the
laughter from
the crowd
as if you were
there again
but what was
it you said
exactly?
and what about
that old neighbor
you liked so much
who died shoveling
snow? his wife
gave you cookies
every christmas
and now you can
vaguely recall
his body sprawled
out at the end
of his driveway
you can remember
the frigging
cookies but
you can't
summon his
name
what was
his name?
what was
it?
you would be
grateful now
to dredge up
the very first
time you met
your future
in-laws your
daughter's
first dance
recital your
grandson's first
soccer match
or even that
poem you
revisited
last night
before you fell
asleep that poem
your wife shared
with you
awhile ago
what was
that poem
about? what was
the title? the
name of the
poet? the
audacious
first line?
all the words
and clever
alliteration
all reduced to
a hazy blur
dissipating
like those
antacid
tablets that
fizzled
into a
seltzery
four ounces
swirling
midway down
a plain white
dixie cup you
left
abandoned
forgotten
on the
bathroom
counter hours
ago...could
even discomfort
even pain
be erased
so quickly
so easily
so thoroughly?
Vernon Waring's poetry has appeared in The Writer, The Iconoclast, Alabama School of Fine Arts Quarterly,
Midwestern University Quarterly, New Dimensions, and Anthology as well as on the Prairie Home Companion's Web site.
His light verse has been published in the Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia Daily News, and WRITE ON!! Poetry Magazette.
His short fiction and poetry have also been featured online in Ascent Aspirations Magazine. He resides in King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania.
Email: Vernon Waring
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