Poem: A Faulty Memory – 19/07/20

How to explain away an error when my intention was not cruel?
How to apologise when my memory’s retention simply wasn’t running so smooth?
How to insist I didn’t mean any offence when the point made was that I just didn’t understand?
Honest and truthful, and by my own, not another’s devices,
I feel one true lacking of mine has been brought to hand.

I want to explain away the memory slip,
that simply because I didn’t understand,
that because I did not recall,
doesn’t mean that I don't appreciate 
his work and this witty man,

that with my mind constantly being plagued by
doubts and critical thoughts of myself,
and wondering whether I am right 
within this written world,
that sometimes my own insecurities can 
override my capacity to remember
every word written by someone other than me.
 
I can’t always remember what I had on my toast in the morning,
I can’t quite remember whether I left the light on in
my second room in the evening,
I can’t seem to recall exactly how a
certain name is pronounced,
often let alone what it was,
I need to clarify some facts,
their ordering, with another,
because sometimes others recall specific facts better.
 
I may be on the ball with most things,
I may recall turns of phrases,
or another’s habits or their privately revealed feelings,
I may remember which spices to put into your tea,
but please understand,
sometimes there are too many facts to remember for me.
 
I didn’t mean any offence, 
and I hope none has been taken,
that truthfully your words were fact,
a wry throw-away expression,

I thank you for a lack of admonishment, any upset, or lamentation,
because I think, to you,
I am known for being kind and wanting the best for you,
and I’d not purposefully forget something if I knew
it would make pain dire,

all in all, I want it to be known 
that a memory slip was just that,
it was not purposeful, it was not called for,
I just forgot.
Please understand that.  

© 2020 Lauren M. Hancock. All rights reserved.
Photo by Kyaw Tun on Unsplash

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Comments

9 responses to “Poem: A Faulty Memory – 19/07/20”

  1. Douglas Hancock Avatar
    Douglas Hancock

    Alzheimer’s? 🥴👍

    DMW Hancock

    >

    Like

    1. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

      Probably a variety of factors!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. donmatthewspoetry Avatar

    Bother….forgotten what I was going to comment on….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

      Haha, I forgot what the post was about!

      Like

  3. donmatthewspoetry Avatar

    We’re a forgetful pair aren’t we?…..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

      We truly are. 😩😄🤣

      Like

  4. Jason A. Muckley Avatar

    No one has a perfect memory 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

      😛 Imagine what the world would be like it we all did!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jason A. Muckley Avatar

        Yikes… good point

        Liked by 1 person

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