I Must Remember

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

Tags: Creative Writing, emotions, fragile, Free verse, humans, introspection, one life to lead, one life to live, poem, poems, poetry, poetry blog, poetry writing, poets, poets corner, writing, writing poetry