HELLO? reflections at a class reunion
After many years we meet,
no reason to apologize,
by the blankness in your eyes
I see you do not recognize
or even wish to realize that
memory selectively deletes
that certain savoirfaire
as we are meeting in disguise,
at this gussied up affair.
We will greet in hallways
and as always,
"How are You?"
(Looking west beyond your shoulder)
"Fine."
(That way I know you are not older)
"And, you?"
(Who is that person over there?)
"The Same."
"I beg your pardeon, and your name.?"
Now I remember, really do,
...early morning, late November
...nineteen hundred, fifty two,
...skirt of plaid
...shirt of blue,
...wasn't that the time that you...?
(Oh, dear, what shall I do?)
...I can not seem to rightly place
...the name you name
...the face you face..
Gertrude, aren't you glad you came?
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I love this, it's so sweet.
I love this, it's so sweet.
Hello
Do we all experience this? The disappointment at the actual event, after looking forward so eagerly to meeting those you remember - or think you remember - until you actually meet them again, and realize that life has changed them. They've moved on, and so have you, and memory plays such tricks. You've managed to catch the awkwardness at such meetings, the terrible feeling that you might have said something wrong, brought back embarrassing memories that the other person wouldn't thank you for reviving. The sheer embarrassment at not remembering names - and the faces have changed so much. This is great! I also appreciate that you have incorporated a subtle, halting rhythm which mirrors the apprehensive feeling of the piece. With regard to the rhyme scheme, I like it, but the word 'for' in line two throws it. I think you could get away with -
After many years we meet,
no reason to apologize,
the blankness in your eyes.
The added comma with the full stop after 'eyes' should cover it.
The staccato responses really add to the overall feeling of a thwarted exercise in nostalgia.
DLP