Recall
A poem penned by my father, Jim Jaqua (1928-????)
The years that lead to getting old can often be a pleasure,
Leaving memories that ‘most always seem to be a treasure.
The ones that do not quite fit that mold are less often recalled,
Or live in a part of the memory that is tightly walled.
As we look back on the adventures leading up to this time
Some will seek to memorialize them in some sort of a rhyme.
Being in my mind a daring old lad I will take that route,
And along my merry way hope for an encouraging shout.
The realization does arise that I should keep this short
To avoid the possibility of a derisive snort.
Not that anyone I know would resort to such a blatant thing,
But should it happen you can readily imagine the sting.
A brief thought comes to mind that I might improperly proceed,
And I ask myself the question: Is there really a need?
After a bit of deeper thought I am suddenly smitten
When I recall that my memoirs have already been written.
The thought of repeating that effort does give me a small scare,
As too often I seem unable to recall when or where.
The years since seem to have elapsed in some sort of a dizzy dash
While memories of that time seem to come and go in a flash.
If what we then recall brings to mind a lingering ember,
That may be quickly followed with something we do remember
From some event embedded in deep recesses of our mind
Which was not at any time something we really wished to find.
Memory can play strange tricks when from the past it slyly brings
Some long-buried happening from far past which slightly stings.
A sudden realization such as that should not bring us down,
Do no more to our recollection than cause a little frown.
The time has now arrived to make the deciding mental move,
To show that your mind is again firmly in the proper groove.
All the fevered thinking which has led up to the sharing time
Has been done merely to show I can still find a fitting rhyme.
Jim Jaqua, March, 2018
