In praise of forgetfulness

 

 

Forgetfulness walks hand in hand
with its twin, forgiveness. 
I’m grateful for this pairing,
Mom and Dad.  We held each other
in anger and recrimination
far too long.  I regret we had
to age to overcome details,
but I’m grateful that it happened
before you died.  Love is left.
The pride and sharing I longed for
from you is partly realized,
as is the closeness you wanted
from me after decades of distance.
 
Over the years I lived fully—
without apology—but tried
to share my art, loves, plans
and hopes with you as they evolved.
Better to remember Rilke’s
lesson to rejoice in your own
growth, but don't try to take your
folks with you.  They wouldn't be
able to understand.  Simply
love.*      At last, all of us did.
Forgiveness walked hand in hand
with its twin, forgetfulness, to heal
the pain we caused each other. 

 

For Sumana's prompt "Forgetfulness" at What's Going On? 

 

* ”. . . rejoice in your growth, in which you naturally can take no one with you, and be kind to those who remain behind, and be sure and calm before them and do not torment them with your doubts and do not frighten them with your confidence or joy, which they could not understand.  Seek yourself some sort of simple and loyal community with them . . . .” ~ R.M.Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet (1934),  Page 39, “Letter Four” 

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© 2024 Susan L. Chast