MEMORIES

MEMORIES

M       My thoughts revert as I go on this pensive journey
E        Every memory bringing me further back
M       Memories of the days when I was young and hopeful
O       Oh, so confident we’d achieve our lofty ambitions
R        Rendering the world a much better place 
 I         I reflect, drift back to the harbor, my life’s boat set to sail
E        Eagerly I stand there on the bow of so long ago, hoping to 
S        See what is happening to me now that I didn’t know then…
                              
                      Remember
                 “The winds of the old days will blow through my hair.”

M        Mastering challenges so different from expectations
E        Each one presented by time as it passes
M        Memories of marriage, career, children, and graduations
O        Onward days lapsed into years with alarming speed 
R         Rent by long-gone yearnings that seem unachieved, still
 I          Inspired at the new ones that have taken their place
E         Enlisting, adapting with skills learned so long ago, so I can 
S         See what is happening to me now that I didn’t know then…
                              
                      Remember
                 “The winds of the old days will blow through my hair.”

M      Moving out of the harbor I have nary a care
E       Eager to assess the changes my lot have brought
M      Memories of marchers changing the face of this nation
O       Outstanding martyrs who died for their causes
R       Rallied sometimes round heroes supporting inspiration 
 I        Imagine the heights that many have reached
E        Each one part of the tapestry that was made, helping me to
S        See what is happening to me now, that I didn’t know then…
                                 
                       Remember
                 “The winds of the old days will blow through my hair.”

M      Mind my words, all you young folk, as you listen to me
E       Enlisting your notions of what’s right and what’s not|
M      Memories of now, in the future, may haunt you
O      Overtly may seem you failed to fashion perfection
R       Remember things move slowly but also move up
 I        Inspired by us you move on and also motivate
E       Enjoy your successes though not always flawless, but still you’ll
S       See what will happen to you that you don’t know now,

                                         You also will remember and know that 
                                    “The winds of the old days will blow through your hair.”

© Corinne Mustafa
     10/12/09

After I wrote this I went to a poetry group that I belong to online.  They have a debate board and the topic I read was discussing the use of words that might offend others who believe differently.  There is a need to be politically correct these days.  The topic had begun with an article quoted from Ben Stein where he decries this kind of thought and says essentially to call a Christmas Tree a Christmas Tree.  I had had the thought that I was being optimistic when I wrote my poem so I added this stanza after it.  It is not actually part of my poem here

 but another angle I was moved to write about.

M      Mind your words, only say things generic
 E       Enlist those in power to forbid customs others decry
 M      Memories of tradition you need to forget
 O      Overtly become like a Stepford man or woman
 R       Remember we have to be sure not to offend
  I        Inspired by diversity of the our new country citizenry
 E       Exist on a level that all can approve, and
 S       See, understand what will happen to you that you don’t know now...

                         

 You need to grasp (you won’t be able to remember) 
                                 that there will be
                                    

 “...no winds of the old days left to blow through your hair.”

10/13/89