Struggle of Memory With Forgetting (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Struggle of Memory With Forgetting
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Saturday, January 21, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Struggle of Memory with Forgetting -- John Herlihy The struggle of memory against forgetting, How does it happen, where does it lead? Memories slipping away feels like forgetting, To finally drain away as a thousand cuts bleed. A scent can strike as momentary and fleeting, Yet overwhelms us with force of its presence. Cigar smoke and once again my father meeting, A childhood love of father in a cigar’s essence. Memories resonate soft in the passing of years, In the undergrowth of mind lies our latest fears. Power to remember vies with power to forget, An urge to cherish mixed with an urge to regret. Memories allow us to see flowers in December, Flying weightless across the seasons to remember. Yet time and distance work on memory with acid, To sink into a spring pond leaving its surface placid. The empty mind such an eerie place as if haunted, Flashbacks arrive unexpectedly as if unwanted. Memories serve as phantom ghosts in the mind, To disappear at will, leaving forgetfulness behind. Finally, mind surrenders, cobwebs need be swept away, We forget more than we remember, nothing left to say. The final break, beyond death’s door, memory severed, To live in hearts we leave behind, we are remembered. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Saturday 17 December 2022

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on February 28, 2023

WELL...IT CERTAINLY DEPENDS ON WHETHER MEMORIES ARE GOOD OR BAD. GOOD MEMORIES CAN LIFT ONE OUT OF A DARK PLACE, WHEN LEAST EXPECTED. THE BAD ONES INDEED, TO BE SEVERED, HOWEVER...EVEN FROM THESE THERE ARE LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED. ALL IN ALL, AS YOU SAY, IN THE 'FINAL BREAK' EVERYTHING WILL BE LEFT BEHIND AND WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THERE REMAINS 'GOOD MEMORIES' THAT WILL REMEMBERED. THANKS, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on January 21, 2023

You haven't lost your way with words, but I understand what you mean. I am the same when it comes to words, but places and people sometimes stopped me cold when I can't remember what they were even though I can picture them in my mind with ease.

You are losing your memory anytime soon. And I hope that mine will be intact enough for me be writing on my last day. My grandmother's memory was sharp at 85, but gradually left her until she died at 90 with no memories, grasping for thought. (Alzheimer's) My mother died two years ago at 95. She could no longer hear anything but she was still sharp of memory. The vagaries of memory loss between people are many. So many don't care about the past or any memories of it.

In that way you and I are different.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

"To live in hearts we leave behind, we are remembered." Perhaps this one line pulls all the other elements of memory loss together, and together for the purpose of making arrangements, addressing one's way or ways of expressing who and what they are. Many would argue that we are predisposed to fulfill our "purpose" and perhaps the purpose is to live as close as possible to the authentic self. That, however, is an insurmountable task for those who dodge who they are and pursue what others tell them they should be. Yes, to live in the hearts we leave behind is a noble task to fulfill. Hopefully, more will attempt the successful fulfillment of that challenge--especially those of us choosing as our primary means the act of writing poetry. Such, however, should avoid the trite and cliche and go for penning meaningful thoughts more important to the reader than the one writing the words. So, you see how impactful your poem has been to this poet.