The last lines of this poem rescue it for me, out of a feeling of chaos and loss. The moon is a real thing, unlike the many insubstantial facts that we might forget. In this case it’s also an experience in the moment, of heartfelt beauty, good for centering the soul.
FORGETFULNESS
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of,
as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
Long ago you kissed the names of the nine muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,
something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.
Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue
or even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.
It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.
No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
-Billy Collins
Gladsome Lights 
I love this poem and painting… in all my work both writing and painting the moon is my signature. I feel that someone I love can be seeing the same moon I am looking at at the same time.. and experience the ONENESS of Divine unfolding Love. here is a small poem I wrote years back…..
Even a
Peace Rose makes
blood flow from a soft white finger.
Isn’t that how wars start..sometimes? Merrilyn Mc Elderry
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That something I also like about the moon 🥰
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You reminded me to go outside and look at the full moon! It’s big and bright tonight.
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This is a beautiful description of what is all too real for some 🙂 🙂 🙂
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We can only hope to remember the truly important things!
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Unfortunately we’re having a week of rain so no view of the moon this month.
The subject of forgetfulness becomes quite relevant as we age. Information poised on the tip of the tongue isn’t quick to pop up ( if it even does).
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I was just having a moment of disorientation this morning while driving home from an errand. Yes, a lot of loss and chaos in this poem, but you helped draw my eye to the last lines. Made me think of Psalm 89:37….”the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” And Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Though my memories should forsake me…
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Exactly! The Lord cannot forget His children, even in their later years when they might descend somewhat into childhood again. Come to think of it, He says we must become as children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, so I guess getting old could be a help that way 😉
Thank you for bringing my attention to that moon reference in Psalm 89! It makes me want to talk about the moon with those who are falling into dementia, and take them out to look at the moon at night, it being that “faithful witness” to the Creator of the cosmos and a link to the groundings of our earthly life.
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Oh, and I automatically thought “Asunción” when I got to that line. Only because it’s one of the few cities I’ve been to 🙂
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I’m not sure how I missed this one. It’s entirely too close to home. I always say that when I put something in my brain, something else falls out my ear.
AMDG
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