Forgotten Memory
Did you know there is no word in the English language,
or any other language as far as I know of,
for a memory that you’ve forgotten
A forgotten memory is the only way I can describe
certain sensations or realizations
And I wish there was a word
A way I could describe how I feel
What I mean.
And what I mean is today.
Today I realized I don’t remember your kiss anymore.
I remember we kissed
And I remember I loved it
And I loved you
And I used to dream about kissing you
Or holding you
Or waking up on your couch again
With you
But I don’t remember your kiss anymore
I just know that’s what it was
And I’ve lost count of all the times we kissed
All the times we made love
Though you said that’s not what it was
But I don’t remember your kiss
A memory I have forgotten
And I’m so glad I finally did
Next I wish to forget the memory of your laugh
Or the memory of how good you always used to smell
Especially with my head on your chest
I wish to collect forgotten memories of you like trophies
Reminders that there are new memories to make with new loves
That I am capable of new love
That there is no man I cannot survive
But there are some things I will never forget
Some memories last forever and there’s no word for that either
No word to explain
how I’ll never forget the first time we met.
Or the first time you took me to our favorite Chinese food place
And I will never forget the day I told you I loved you
And how the wind left my lungs when you couldn’t say it back.
And though some memories are already forgotten
Like the dish you always loved to order
Or the costume you wanted me to wear for Halloween
Or the ingredients in the Caesar Salad we made together
I do not remember any of it
But…
I will always remember your favorite wine
I will always remember we had our time
And I will always remember I loved you
I just hope I can learn to forget why