Seeping Away

Forgetfulness

Even that one word triggers lost memories

Like your great-great-grandpapa’s name

Like the smell of salty sandwich pickles

Like that embarrassing outfit you wore to school

Forgetfulness

Is the mist that snakes around the mountain

Is Fido’s quiet lapping of water

Is the sticky lollipop left too long on the kitchen counter

Forgetfulness

Comes like spring rain

Riding on a speeding train

Ensnares the memories--bitter, sweet--like a fishing net

And drops them

One by

One

Into black rivers

I wade into the water

Seeking for the pieces of me

Before I get too old

Before I forget what it’s like to remember