I must remember that I am human;
I am able to be broken, manipulated –
I am malleable in the most stubborn of ways
I must remember the spaces between friends;
I need not have someone at the doorstep
The night through while I sleep
I must remember the pain I once felt;
I must remember the joy I once had.
I must remember that I am human;
I am destructive, yet easily destroyed.
I just must remember with clarity
That which brought me to this strange corner of time;
But it is as much the clock’s fault for ticking,
As it is time’s fault for passing away.
I must remember to learn,
And I must remember to not forget so easily.
Though, I’ll soon forget to remember
All the memories which stain
The innermost depths of myself
I must remember all these things
So I can tell the youth of this country,
But, they won’t listen;
Just as I didn’t listen . . .
I must remember seconds turn to years
And years turn to decades;
Flowers wilt quickly
And we all likewise age.
I must remember the pain I once felt;
For, I never want to feel it again.
I must remember the joy I had;
For, all I want is to have it back
I must remember that it will be gone
Before I have a chance to do
Anything about it.
I must remember that one day I will be merely a memory;
I must strive for it to be a good one.
I must remember I am alive for the first and last time.
Copyright Kyle T. Dibert, 2016