Let Time Fall Dead

They told me

That I wouldn't remember today

They laughed and said

As we grow old our memories fall dead

Defiantly I argued

Defiantly I stood

They acted like it was fine

To forget life

As a child I mocked

I would not let time fall dead

How dare they?

Who laughs at a failing memory?

Who forgets the days they spent?

How dare they! 

Forget the things they taught me

As if forgetting 

Could make it go away

As a child-

I clung to my memories

As an adult

I don't really have a choice

So still I say--

How dare they?

Forget the things they taught me

As if forgetting 

Could make it go away

How dare they forget

--And leave the dead to me?

Author's Note

I'd love thoughts, opinions, constructive criticism, and the like. Interpretations too, if you have any :)

Reviews

[Lovecraft]

Almost sounds as if it might be about child abuse a bit. Perhaps it's about alzheimers (Sp?) and the person is being taunted at a nursing home by the staff.

All in all, a very good poem with several possible interpretations.

Good job, Nicole. :0

[Nicole Laszlo]

You're definitely correct on the first. I hadn't thought about the abuse of the elderly, though. It's a cool interpretation. Thank you for the kind review :)

[Lovecraft]

Of course. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I believe all things are remembered. Just hidden away.
"As a child-
I clung to my memories
As an adult
I don't really have a choice
So still I say--"
I agree with your logic. We must deal with the past and the future. Thank you Nicole for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Lorry]

Well, I may be well off the mark, but to my mind this speaks to me of someone going through the pain of a loved one suffering from dementia and our inability to do anything but watch from a front row seat.
I said I may be off the mark, because maybe I am seeing a familiar path in your words that I know well, my Mum is suffering terribly from dementia and your words ring so true in what I see every day. I sometimes wonder who it's harder on, the sufferer or those left to mourn someone lost, yet still here.
Very powerful piece, perfectly captured.

[Nicole Laszlo]

I had two intentions, and that was certainly one of them. It's not something I've personally experienced, but it's something I've often feared. I'm sorry to hear that you have. Thank you for the sincere and kind review.

[Lorry]

You're very welcome :)