Memories

Memories are kept within our heads,

A pageant of our story,

a never-ending picture show

of laughter, tears, unwelcome fears,

parading across the screen of Life

that has been, and gone.

Some are welcome and re-lived with pleasure,

those we treasure, but some are not.

If we could only wipe the memory,

click a button and delete the scene,

expunge the sorrow that has

lingered, far too long.

Save all the good times and enjoy,

again, the pleasures that no longer

make a heart beat stronger.

Cut out the dark and dismal pain of love lost,

death, what might have been.

And leave the rest.

Would we be better for the purge

of memories that nail us to the cross?

Would it stop obsessions, depressions,

that drag us down?

The blame for things we did not do,

the guilt for things we did

that we thought were for the best.

Who knows if having only happy memories

 would make us better people?

We need diversity to grow.

Pain and sorrow, laughter and joy,

make us what we are, we cry,

but as the poet said, ‘The shell must break

before the bird can fly!’

Audrey Atkinson ©