On the tip of your tongue.

poem in triplets

On the tip of your tongue

 

 You know, you know but can’t explain

Just how or why you came to gain.

The facts stored in your memory.

 

Odd facts stored subconsciously.

For no good reason seemingly.

Stored away haphazardly.

 

Though ev’ry fact our mind has stored.

It had some reason to record.

A nugget added to the hoard.

 

A vast accumulation

Of useless information.

We very seldom call upon.

 

But when we do it’s sad but true

We find that we cannot renew.

The direct link that leads us to.

 

The word or phrase we want to find.

Amongst those hidden in our mind.

The system is not well designed.

 

We can’t recover what we’ve stored.

Our efforts totally ignored.

Our mind decides it can’t afford.

 

To grant unlimited access.

Although it leaves us free to guess.

The reason for such stubbornness.

 

Thursday, 12 April 2012

 

 

Reviews

[what-the-frick]

Beautiful and poignant. Well done.

[Muse]

On the tip of your tongue...is that the nice way of saying you might be getting old? I think this is a chronic condition for some...I hate it when I forget my own name. Like an old friend...I should know it...seen her face before...but all my thoughts...have flown out the back door. I always put a post-it note on my face. :D

[emmajoy]

There's a smile or few and your inevitable charm hidden in this display of sad fact, The brain is a computer that slows to snail pace some time, and all the kicking and cursing can't do a thing .. guess that's why we all have to grab at life so there can't be regrets. Even so, tis a frightening thought, Ivor, and all i can pray is that i get to this sort of state with your wonderful humour and gentle acceptance.

[G. K. Bostic]

I have been away from the site, but I'm glad I came back to enjoy writings like yours. I certainly identify with this one. My retrieval system is so unpredictable these days! ;) This is a delightful expression of the mystery of our minds. I enjoyed this one! :)

[Valentine]

For most people that is so true,,My husband is now going through Dementia..and he forgets the present..It is sad to watch a brainy man lose it all..Nice thought provoking write..Valentine

[MOON]

Lovely write a store of information and when you need it well you forget?

[Chris Smith Welshpoetcs]

Always a pleasure to read your poetry : )

[Debbie_Philly]

Brilliant as always Ivor..... I have missed you and your writing !!! You taught me allot !!

[Tomás Ó C..]

Thats memory...it comes and goes...love the poem!

[joshua deathdealer]

This is brilliant. Full of knowledge and written to perfection. Excellent work.