Memories Now & Other Poetry

Memories Now

How does a memory age at present?

It sits where it’s made, gaining traction

Between us, morphing in swift reaction

To the whim of each passing second spent.

This feels like memory, leapt from future

Like songs played in reverse, unthought of, new,

But welcome as their colors slide in view,

Aging in reverse, bonding tense, time’s suture.

Tomorrow, when I recall, I’ll have known

Already that I stowed this shot away

In my records, safe from time’s shearing scuff.

By Saturday afternoon, I’ll have flown,

Homeward, only after sealing that day

Of which I may never have quite enough.

Age’s Pain

The pain of age does not diminish

With the passage of ample time -

The clock ticks on toward its finish,

And I stumble through life’s pantomime

Unwary of its insignificance,

A stray good act my paltry penance

For grave, unreconciled misdeeds.

Each wrinkle and pain and ache feeds

The unseen beast, equal parts dread

And regret. Kids walking to school

Stroll by, jokes never left unsaid,

Contests - who’s lame? Who’s cool?

I can’t warn them of the torment

That may come for them some day,

And rob them of the enjoyment

That sparks for now, but can’t stay.

John Masella is a poet from northern New Jersey. Influenced by the likes of Philip Larkin, John’s work leans on realism and accessible language to explore themes of impermanence, missed opportunity, reflection. You can check out his artwork and poetry on Instagram.