I think you nailed the details of memory far better than most. The river, sediments, and ripples as a a metaphor are pretty accurate from how I see my own memory, but I never had these words for it.
And what of when those memories come flooding back and the banks of the river have trouble containing them?
This is a nice capture and description of looking back in time. How do you picture looking forward and planning and visioning? Is this also a river? Or a cloud? Or an open meadow? Or something else?
Stephen, I love this question. Rivers carry memory because the landscape behind us already exists. Looking forward feels more like standing inside a field where direction has not fully declared itself yet. Sometimes the current comes later, after the forces quietly decide which way the needle should turn.
Monica, this is a really great way to describe how time distorts our view. i love how you communicated that meaning emerges through movement and that the observer "participates in the deformation of what appears stable." you have to accept that the past is always being revised by the act of remembering in the present. Recalling a memory often involves remembering the previous remembering of the memory too.
After reading this, memory really feels like a river, not a file in a drawer, but something that flows, leaves sediment, and settles in the body. The descriptions make you feel it with your senses, smell, touch, temperature; all bringing the past back in a way that’s physical, not just mental.
Okay but Monica, my goodness, your mastery of the structure && the craft is amazing here: you don't use the reflection to translate the poem, you use it to extend it
by the time you reach the river writes through those who step into it, it doesn't feel like analysis; it feels like a third stanza!
It feels like you could have easily over-explained there; but you didn't. Like, the restraint is the point--& absolutely holds so well!
This triggered a memory for me. Once while driving a few years back I saw a pond that was so still that it had a perfect reflection. A mirror image, it’s so wonderful this could exist.
What you have created is more than dynamic. I read every word knowing that the next would take me deeper into the farthest reach of your imagination and I loved every moment through to the end. This will stay with me. Phenomenal work💯
Thank you @Gary L Taylor for reading and restocking this.
Thanks @Óðr Sierra Sierra for the restack
You are the creator extraordinaire... 💖 Thank you for your kind words. I have to thank Substack for finding you.
I am so blessed you are in my life.
As am I, my dear friend.
Thank you for this well-written, imaginative read. It resonates!
Thank you. I am so glad it resonated and you read this as intended.
I think you nailed the details of memory far better than most. The river, sediments, and ripples as a a metaphor are pretty accurate from how I see my own memory, but I never had these words for it.
Nicely done.
Thanks HVR.
Beautiful and true.
And what of when those memories come flooding back and the banks of the river have trouble containing them?
This is a nice capture and description of looking back in time. How do you picture looking forward and planning and visioning? Is this also a river? Or a cloud? Or an open meadow? Or something else?
Stephen, I love this question. Rivers carry memory because the landscape behind us already exists. Looking forward feels more like standing inside a field where direction has not fully declared itself yet. Sometimes the current comes later, after the forces quietly decide which way the needle should turn.
Nice!
Sometimes this field is foggy, and you have to wait for the air to clear.
Yes and sometimes I leave an Easter Egg along the way for what is coming next😜
Monica, this is a really great way to describe how time distorts our view. i love how you communicated that meaning emerges through movement and that the observer "participates in the deformation of what appears stable." you have to accept that the past is always being revised by the act of remembering in the present. Recalling a memory often involves remembering the previous remembering of the memory too.
I’m glad you found the nuances that were places in this piece
After reading this, memory really feels like a river, not a file in a drawer, but something that flows, leaves sediment, and settles in the body. The descriptions make you feel it with your senses, smell, touch, temperature; all bringing the past back in a way that’s physical, not just mental.
I am so glad you read and felt this as intended
I'm so glad I read this!😊
Me too Alix
Though rivers flow free
Obstacles turbulent wake
Experiences our soul make
Without we cease to be
Beautiful Robert. Thank you😊
Okay but Monica, my goodness, your mastery of the structure && the craft is amazing here: you don't use the reflection to translate the poem, you use it to extend it
by the time you reach the river writes through those who step into it, it doesn't feel like analysis; it feels like a third stanza!
It feels like you could have easily over-explained there; but you didn't. Like, the restraint is the point--& absolutely holds so well!
Omg thank you so much for seeing that. I am thrilled it landed as intended. Thank you for taking time to read my work.
“Entry requires weight” is an INCREDIBLE line. Gonna be sitting with this piece for a while, thank you so much for writing and sharing this.
Thank you for ready and finding meaning in my words
Lovely piece to read and think on
Thank you Sarah
This triggered a memory for me. Once while driving a few years back I saw a pond that was so still that it had a perfect reflection. A mirror image, it’s so wonderful this could exist.
So cool Leo. Thanks for sharing.
entry requires weight... That line felt so clean and sharp and a little too good.
Thanks Asuka
What you have created is more than dynamic. I read every word knowing that the next would take me deeper into the farthest reach of your imagination and I loved every moment through to the end. This will stay with me. Phenomenal work💯
Brandy, thank you for reading this as intended. I am so glad you took the ride down the river with me.
Very interesting comparison!