I FORGET

I FORGET

 

There was a time --- about 90 years ago when I remembered

then I became a teacher, that was after teacher`s college.

I remember those days so well.   The depression was the

economic system then in force.

 

I forget some of the little stuff that went on then, three more

degrees---- I had to remember some of that stuff.

 

Seven kids later and some of the details were getting a little

fuzzy.

You were not born yet, but I remember a lot of things, like when

all the graduations took place and when everybody got degrees.

 

Some of the degrees I would argue with because the world

and those degrees have become so specialized.  We had the

same motivations , some of the stuff you forget, but there was

life to live, wars to wage and kids to feed, so

 

If I forget, or one of my old cronies does not remember, who

cares...... in a few years you will forget, but hang in,

Much of it has been forgotten , but all those little details live

on .  Where ?   I forget.

 

------ John Crowley

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

Forgetting is part of the purge of knowing. As Stephen Wright so aptly put it..."If I had everything, where would I put it?" Knowledge falls into the same category. Human's don't have the capacity to remember everything they once knew but we are more often able to remember the knowledge we applied., evaluated or synthesized into something new, something we owned or created. We remember the important things if we're lucky enough no matter how much time has passed. Not everything is worth knowing anyway. Interesting juxtaposition of time in this piece.

[Eagle Cruagh]

Thank you. I wish I had just waited and copied your response.
It was much, much better than "I forget".
---- John

[icelandicblue]

But your poem is very amusing and it contains your unique view on things. My response is a mere specter of the original piece. But I know you already know that. Thanks though.

[light and ashes]

This is a good and enjoyable read.
Hey! :) I don't know if you remember me, but I am the writer formerly known as angelink. I just thought I'd drop by and say hi. Anyways, it's good to see you again.

[Hailey Juliet]

This is a great piece. You really touched on the reality that is the human mind. We can't remember most things that happen to us, but they all somehow shape us, as you alluded to:

Much of it has been forgotten , but all those little details live
on . Where ? I forget.

While I was reading this, the idea of sentimentality came to me. In the short term, people are so sentimental over little things: acquaintances we have, ideas we hold, or the s**t we own. As time passes, most of these little things don't mean anything lasting to us. To me, forgetfulness goes hand in hand with simply accepting reality for what it is. No need for sentiment as you'll forget that too one day.

This was an inspiring read, i'm definitely gonna remember this one!