My memory is a frightening thing these days. (Did I say that already?)
"Come read this poem by Billy Collins," I just now said to Atticus.
"Another one?" he asked.
"Did I already have you read a Billy Collins poem this morning?"
Forgetfulness
by Billy Collins
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,
as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
....
(Read the whole thing here, at Poets.org.)
~~~~~
The Poetry Friday round up is at Write. Sketch. Repeat.
(Photo courtesy of FreeImages.com.)
17 comments:
This is a fun post, Karen. I can relate to this line. "Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye." Thanks for sharing the wisdom of Billy Collins.
Thanks, Carol! Yes, Tom and I were trying to name the Muses this morning. I was hopeless.
Sad, but. alas & alack, all too true. (Alas & alack--did someone famous say that?; did I spell those right?...I used to teach spelling and grammar/comp, never misplaced modifiers or anything else. Not so today.) Thanks for helping me laugh at myself. The same topic handled by someone else might have made me sob at my pitiful plight...I love your wit, starting with the header asterisk! God bless you!...Don't forget to keep us warmly entertained with more posts, ok?
Thanks, Bobbie!
Wait...did I say that already? :)
(And, alas and alack, I know what you mean about questioning one's spelling and grammar these days. I was an English major, for crying out loud. How do I forget this stuff??) :)
My short term memory is shot! Glad I'm not the only one grappling with this issue. What was your name again? :)
What does grappling mean again?
:)
Was I supposed to tell you something?
I enjoyed the post, and also the comments, Karen, so funny. I think I'd love to retire to that little fishing village where they could supply the answers to all my questions! Thanks, Billy Collins rocks!
Doraine, I think you were, but I can't remember. Did it have something to do with poetry? :)
Linda, if we can remember how to get there, I'll meet you in the fishing village for coffee!
I thoroughly enjoyed your post and the Billy Collins poem. I can, much to my chagrin, relate only too well to forgetfulness and memory lapses. I used to be so sure that my recall was totally accurate. Now, I just say, "Well, I thought...but I'm probably wrong."
One year a teenager who won Poetry Out Loud performed this poem. He did a fantastic job. I wondered at the time how much he would know about forgetting, but in hindsight I think teens can actually be pretty darn forgetful!
I'm just nodding and smiling and agreeing!!
Molly, I love your current disclaimer, and Tabatha, I can attest to the forgetfulness of teens!
Thanks for joining us in our lament, Mary Lee!
:)
So glad you remembered Billy, Karen. Unfortunately I suffer from forgetfulness more often than I like to admit. Ugh. =)
Fortunately, Bridget, we can just forget about how often we forget. :)
Solidarity, my friend.
Indeed, Tamara! :)
Post a Comment