river of reminiscence

A ponderous pause accompanies

the heavy sigh awaiting relief from the depths of your lungs.

Occurring within a lengthy second,

air stills as you whirl down a spiral staircase.

All the forgotten moments, not quite lost,

only paused, eagerly waiting to be recalled.

Time knows the cruelty of herself.

She hides stealthily in the habitual hours,

easily camouflaged behind the smiles and tears.

The grandeur of a moment diminished to a memory.

She rarely suspends for us.

When she does arrive, it’s never

at the dawn of a new era.

Sun and moon interchange their position

quicker with each rotation, while she rushes us.

The smallest instance forcing her to pause,

and remember the years that brought you here.

Lips muttering the repeated phrase,

one, that has lost count,

“I will remember this day forever.”