vague memories of memories

i don't remember
snippets of life
bookmarks that have neither rhyme nor reason
a conversation occurs
a friend acquaintance stranger
asks if i remember when...
and i don't
a story is told
i'm a character
and i have no recollection
the event is foreign
something scratches my brain
an image a print develops
and i holler in excitement
because it surfaces
and can't imagine how i forgot it in the first place
my bookmarks are mine
others note what impacts them
and sometimes i am the impact
but months later
the memory will fade erase fall apart
until a spark sparks a conversation
between a friend acquaintance stranger

residual

traces of the drug swims in my system
light becomes brighter
the comedic situation of life reveals itself
laughter jumps around in circles
a key rest in the palm of the hand
waiting
and waiting
patiently for the holder to realize
the power in the palm
street lights attract insects
a brief memory floats to the surface
it involves chasing fireflies and youth
breaking summer nights
until sand man wakes
puts on his work clothes
to perform the task of knocking people out
one night leads to another
a string attaches the two
years apart
traces of happiness remain in my system
it tells a story on how to unlock the mystery

flash

the sky tore itself into pieces
blinding light scorched the earth
bones cracked releasing marrow
lava broke the embrace of frigid seas
waves crashed on the surface of wood
two ships emerged dripping blood
with no captain or crew
the star held its shape
orbiting the globe
while the message was lost in the sands