The Art of Memory
Some day you will
be old enough to start reading
fairy tales again.
—C.S.Lewis
To indulge in fantasy remains a delight
for both borders of age.
The young imagine themselves
as Superheroes—creating scenarios
to save their world from beasts
who show up in dreams.
The young give voice to stuffed animals
who listen and offer love.
The old make an art of remembering.
Drawing on memory to find words
to explore neighborhoods, to recall
with hazy accuracy years before
double digits and years after.
Some recall a book, a song,
the words of an adult. Looking ahead
the time shortens, but standing still
and looking backward the vista is broad.
