The Unforgotten

A meditation on unpleasant memories

It lingers in the darkness

Of a lower room,

Like the ghost of an ancient

Landlord who still thinks he

Rules the house,

And ventures forth on occasion,

Bearing painful pictures to prove

He's not really dead.

The past is a phantom, the pictures

Images of an identity which no 

Longer exists,

But which is still clung to as

An anchor against the coming

Of the great night,

For even pain is better than

Annihilation.

Let it visit on occasion, learn

Its lessons, whatever they may

Be,

But mostly leave it in the darkness,

Hanging lank in the closet of memory,

For it is not you any more, only a

Likeness of what once was.

Author's Note

If you dwell with dark memories, you are punishing yourself, for no one else is.

Reviews

[Phibby Venable]

Excellent, and so true...and we have to change so often, or be left behind. If we are lucky
enough to live a long life, all our former selves stand with the present one, and should be acknowledged, but the present one must stay in the present. It's all a beautiful, terrible, exciting adventure.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. I like your concept of acknowledging our past selves but focusing on the present one.

[Miss Sharon]

(For even pain is better than Annihilation.) How very true. This is a deeply emotional and perceptive write for the days in which we live. I enjoyed the read! ~Sharon

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Sharon. I find that many people are troubled by negative memories, even from the distant past.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we want to move out of the past....and often even if we do, we are still paying back rent...and never seem to get our deposit back, either.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, j., and good analogy. Many of us continue to see the present through the lens of the past.

[R.E. Ray]

Raw truth in your words, sir. Bad memories are like delinquent tenants we allow to occupy our space. It’s our choice, as you expressed so well here.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Ray. Many people seem to be plagued by random shame/guilt memories dating back many years. My belief is that the ego will settle for even bad memories to occupy it, thus warding off the fear of death.