Ode to Memory (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Ode to Memory
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, May 4, 2025 Rated "G" by the Author.

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Ode to Memory John Herlihy Those treasured memories, Where have they all gone? Those long-lasting memories, Of a past hour now aged long. In my mind this delicate finger, A thing promised never to forget. A perfumed scent that will linger, Fading, ever fading, into sad regret. Memory as gold in a mountain vein, Lodged in perpetuam from ages past To live forever, forever to remain, Even if here the memory doesn’t last. Something fine once happened, In a time so many years ago. A joy anyone never reckoned. Where does a settled wind go? A memory as wind breathing mist, Until aging time has it disappear. The memory lives a while blest, A fragile bubble pierced by a spear. Breathe deeply to take in the scent, A skittish butterfly to capture. A stately tulip now weary and bent, Gone the days of sun-filled rapture. A vivid memory now lost in shadow, In far-reaching corners of the mind. Over the horizon lies a lush meadow, Promising to be expansive and kind. So many memories amounting, As the years quietly slip by. So many years, who’s counting, Left behind, an aging face, a sigh. Memories no longer to remember, Vanished in the misty realm of time. A dwindling light in a burning ember, Given back to spirit, no longer mine. Neither remembered, nor forgotten, Memory once living in a life gifted. Threads of shadow and light begotten, In a soul by the holy spirit uplifted. - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Tuesday 25 February 2025

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on July 25, 2025

I REALLY APPRECIATED THE SUMMATION OF THIS FINE WORK, JOHN. THE LAST FOUR LINES OF THIS ODE, INDEED, SUMS IT ALL UP FOR ME BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS WHY GOD CREATED OUR ABILITY TO 'REMEMBER'.. THUS, WE HAVE THIS ASSURANCE; THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD...JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME...WILL HELP US TO REMEMBER ALL 'SIGNIFICANT' THINGS WHICH WE MAY HAVE THOUGHT WE'D FORGOTTEN. ENJOYED, THANKS JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

I'm not certain of whom you write this but I thought of my mother as I read it. Sweet and sad at the same time.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on May 6, 2025

I think you over wrote this one. I found my mind wandering while reading it.

In the last couple years I've noticed that not only am I occasionally having trouble recalling a name that I should easily be able to pull out of my thoughts, but some word as well for a product or medicine that I should know but have forgotten� especially when it's in my short term memory.

But you seem to lament some of those great adventures that you had in your life that you no longer remember except that you have written them all down and they may even all be on the Internet for all I know.

I began to think I'm losing some of those early memories, too. But it's hard to tell because no one really knows what memories they've lost when they can't remember them.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on May 4, 2025

I resonate easily with this poem, having explored not only my own, but in the process of teaching and directing actors, I found that many carry similar adjustments and measures to preserve the memories that sometimes seem gone. I found that REM sleep often revealed memories seemingly clouded over or erased. As you too have alluded to in this poem, I have some memories I don't fully understand their staying power. Two go back to the days as a child not yet walking. I could be wrong, but there's probably much to said about the memories that stay solid in ones heart and mind vs those that truly drift away. Thanks for sharing your experiences.