ways of living VIII.

unbeknownst to even you,

the memory plays tricks to

guard, the memory builds

walls & the memory even

blocks out & when the memory

refuses to let you into what

has happened, these things,

these horrible things (or

things that you might deem

horrible, even if the present

you isn’t away of your making

this designation) disappear,

as if they have never happened

& the healthy you, the one that

you believe is whole, upright &

steadfast, may very well rely on

this ability to provide amnesia

& as long as it all stays silent,

everything seems like it belongs

that way---as long as it all stays

silent, to you, the world makes

sense & all the things that bring

you harm or at least make an

attempt at doing so in the present,

seem manageable.