Nos Mémoires

or, "Our Memories."

I've been breathing in
ghosts and oxygen
of people in a sad and gaseous form;
ones I loved but can't see anymore.

from “Couches in My Head”
by Benjamin Jameson Morey

 

 

I awoke between a dream and a memory,

Unsure of reality, unsure of anything.

White paint upon the walls and eye blue skies;

Secrets frequently haunting me,

Forever forgetful,

I can’t forget you.

Memories are all we have,

What our heart holds onto

When our palms and fingers let go,

Stretching out,

Slipping through like sand.

Two years and I don’t have a grain

To call my own.

I am half awake as a sleepy voice

Stutters in my ear,

Arms itching to be scratched

As the song skips and

The beat of my heart goes right along with it.

Are we destined for punishment for sins long since committed?

Forever wandering in search of your arms,

Looking the other way for my heart:

A life best described as a never ending journey of hope.

Is inspiration what you seek?

I have seen and I saw and I look out.

I still see you;

I still see the wind, the wild and the moon above.

I look in and see the world as it once was,

Fairy dust and light bulbs,

Lovers lost and memories clutched tight

In the grasp of a still beating heart.

 

Reviews

[Bennett Logan]

Memories are all we have,
What our heart holds onto
When our palms and fingers let go,
Stretching out,
Slipping through like sand.

Beautiful! I know the feeling entirely too well. I've lost loved ones over the years, and this pretty much sums it all up. It's an aching that can't be touched or removed. It just stays. Even when you're not feeling it, it's still there. Things get easier, though. Fantastic poem, Lydia. Bravo!

[Sarah]

Wow, this is really beautiful - very ethereal language. :) I loved the repetition of "forget" in the beginning as well as the repetition of certain words used throughout. This piece flowed particularly well - although some lines were just a little too long, at least in my opinion. For example, "Are we destined for punishment..." and "A life best described..." Maybe try splitting those up into two lines? Idk, could just be me, lol. But I really did enjoy reading this poem. :D:D

[Bridgett]

Amazing! I love it. You did a very good job, as always. It's very powerful.

[J]

I think this was beautiful, and that's not something I ever lightly say. I usually don't go for outright confessionalism, but in this piece it both breathes with artfulness and sincerity.

Two years and I don't have a grain
To call my own.
I am half awake as a sleepy voice
Stutters in my ear,

...is what caught my breath the most.
Thank you for this. I think it's something I needed right now.