"It's funny how the senses work,"
I wrote in 1996. *
A touch, a smell, a certain sight
and something happens, something "clicks"
to cause a poignant memory
to rumble in, to hit; invade!
The situation's thus relived;
the scene's recaptured and replayed!
It was a bean burrito which
then sparked Colette to reappear.
You never know the circumstance
'twill bring her back, as if she's here.
But then, it seemed, so many sights
brought her so clearly to the fore!
You'd think the years would dull this trend
and keep her distant; from my shore.
But things still happen, e'en today
that spark her to be present; real
and hence, the triggered incident
is here again; it, I can feel.
It's not just vague and distant, now.
I've been transported; there, I'm back!
The feelings are all real again;
their sting, I feel as they attack!
And like the bean burrito, which
compelled me to, on her reflect,
the triggers come so unannounced;
these visits one can ne'er expect!
Today, it started normally;
this Thursday morn in early May.
A dental session, though, I had
which was my first stop on this day.
I plopped into the dental chair and
followed orders, "open wide!";
then heard the music flowing forth and
was no way, from this, to hide!
to be her very fav'rite one! **
The tune engulfed me on this day;
I heard it fully; till 'twas done.
And as I sit and ponder this
while I compose this verse of rhyme,
I'm so aware...I heard this song
this morning for the maiden time!
A song she loved, it moved her so;
this fact, with me she frankly bared!
And I just nodded, so polite;
I could've, should've heard it; shared!
I heard the words she freely spoke
describing how this tune impressed
but I ne'er heard the song itself;
the effort needed--di'nt invest!
But...was a captured list'ner now!
And ev'rything did penetrate!
She loved it, yet I passed it by
till six months aft' her passing date. ***
How sad my choice; how much I missed.
I knew the song did, her entrance,
yet when she sought to share the joy,
I failed to notice; grab the chance!
I felt the loss, the gift passed up
with ev'ry word the speaker blared!
This song was special to her soul
yet my reaction: hardly cared!
This dental visit therefore di'nt
just scrape the tartar, did abound.
Another scraping did take place
and due to this, regret was found.
With teeth that shone, I did depart;
my mouth now sparkled; not a stain!
But that damned song now played and played;
went on and on inside my brain!
This punishment, I sensed was just.
This lesson, I deserved to get.
And I surmised, 'twould stay with me
and haunt me due t'the real regret!
I figured this would burden me
a lengthy time so I prepared
to yield to this and let it strike
and batter me. Yes, I was snared!
And when I fin'lly did succumb
to how this penalty would hit
and let the lesson run its course
and to the heavy load, submit,
quite suddenly, I found myself
a-hummin' quite contented; Lo!
Another song was in my head;
the theme from an old TV show! ****
David R. Varg (5-5-01)
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notes: | |
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* the poem: Taco Bell Picnic |
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** the song: I'll Make Love To You (Boys II Men) (which you're listening to) *** her death was Nov. 24, 2000 **** the theme song: Dennis The Menace |
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