I’ve Forgotten…
(Entitlement to those forgotten)

I’ve forgotten
All the people I’ve been guided by
Whose I had impact.
I would say it was an army -
Some to venerate, to honor
Just for being who they were.

Teachers who reached out –
Or not.
Friend who sat in seat in front:
Third grade, long braid – precisely what
I longed for.
Comic friend, a hundred two this year.
Men who loved me;
Thinkers high above me;
Authors by the hundreds,
Women, men of all professions;
Holy ones…
My goodness, memories gone
And here I sit, result of all
That stands and stood to break the wall
Of ignorance.
They were my chance
And I’ve forgotten more than many.
I would gladly pay a penny to remember mem’ry
Unremembered, out of mind,
Left behind and unobserved,
Consigned to god-knows-where
Out there in limbo.

Tricky this!
I’d like to put a name or give some fame
To those who made me tried and true,
Who said, some way, that “You are you”,
Who gave or formed my values.
Give their due
To those who
Gave me mine.

I’ve Forgetten8.2.2016
Pure Nakedness; Special People, Special Occasions;
Arlene Corwin