I Remember

 I Remember: a poem by Jeremy Patton

I remember

I remember “I remember, I remember the house where I was born”, a poem I heard in the sixth form, which I thought was rather good

I even had it in a book

The Collected Verse of Thomas Hood

And the final line held a trick which cuts you like a knife

A message I’ve forgotten now but tells a sad truth about human life.  

I remember

I remember

I have an appointment later today

So sadly we only have so long

I never forget an appointment, my memory is strong

That’s because I flex it, exercise and use it

And if someone gives you their time, it’s vital to not abuse it. 

So let’s have some tea and the nurse will bring some chocolate cake

And though it’s time for my nap, I promise I’ll stay awake. 

I remember

I remember Samson Agonistes, by Milton. I remember 

“O dark dark dark, amidst the blaze of noon

Irrecoverably dark,” erm oh could you fetch a spoon, and a paper napkin and another cup of tea, and then sit down and explain what you want of me. 

I remember my little girl, I never could forget her, the apple of my eye. 

She never comes to see me now and I really don’t know why. 

We were so close and I remember all those happy times, me with my stuffy poems and she with her nursery rhymes. 

I remember,

I remember her, my little pet, how I miss my daughter

Oh sorry love are you upset, do you need a glass of water?

What? Oh no you’re not, I remember her, why would you be so cruel, you just wait, it won’t be long, she’ll soon be in from school. 

I remember 

That woman who came, I don’t know what she wanted, I didn’t get her name, and then she left so sudden, left with her little boy

I remember “Ben Battle was a soldier bold and used to wars alarms,

A cannon ball took off his legs, and he lay down his arms”

I heard that poem in school, in English with Mr Dean. 

Not sure why I remember, how many years it’s been.  

I thought it was rather good. 

The poet? It was Thomas Hood,

I think I had a book you know. 

I don’t know why she had to go

She reminded me of someone I used to know

But no,

I don’t remember.