Memory Lane

The strange road of memory

twists through the landscape

of my mind this morning.

Switchbacks and sharp turns of

remembrances stinging my eyes

as I try to focus on the road ahead.

Memories like snowflakes falling

on the windshield; I bat them

away with a quick flip of the wipers,

but they continue to pile on the window

and It’s hard to see the pavement.

The memory roads intersecting with

the present, making me want to hit the

brakes, stop everything and get out

of the car. To walk in the cold along

the edge of the road, remembering.

Remembering that time when I wasn’t

sure what was reality, remembering that time

I was terrified, that time I wept, that time

I made a fool of myself, that time I was filled

with unjustified hate, that time I was broken hearted.

I don’t stop the car on the road.

I have to keep going.

The present is demanding and cannot afford

any standing on the roadway. The present

does not abide any traffic jams of memory.

The morning memories, a sad grimace across

my face as I pass the other cars on the road,

those other drivers, faces focused on their own roads

ahead; breaking and accelerating with each

twitch of thought.

My mind struggling to look forward, past the

curious sadness that patrols the edges of my

travel.  A memory State Trooper waiting with

a radar gun to pull me over and charge me with

wallowing in the past.

Just drive. Just drive faster.