Remembering to Forget

Sometimes, it seems, when you’re with me
And days go laughing by,
I forget who I ought to be,
That I’m supposed to cry.

Sometimes I feel such happiness
I miss the former pain,
The comfort of that old distress
That I should know again.

What right have I to laugh and smile
When sorrow is my lot?
I ought to lament all the while,
But — sorry! — I forgot.

When we’re together now, it seems
It’s always been this way,
And memories of faded dreams
Are spared the light of day.

Sometimes when I should make my head
Remember with regret,
I get it mixed up, and instead,
Remember to forget!

Published in WestWard Quarterly, Summer 2003
©2003 Laudemont Press