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The Function of Memory


How will you do this?

Where is east?

Where is west?

The fist fits in the hand and the four corners touch only here.

the witch's finger, the little chef, the frying pan

What is your strategy? Tell a story. See the shape. Put them in order

It takes prectice - do it again an again and again.

 

Why does it take so long to remember these

and a moment to memorize

the sick cow lying in the field

the man hitting the dog

the waiting in the dark hospital room

the sickly smell of flowers at the funeral?

 

I am haunted by the details of

petty arguments over money

humiliating mistakes

words I couldn't take back

cold stares from those I sought to impress

and the worst imaginable pain in my teeth and in my heart.

 

How long will it take to erase these?

What is the opposite of memorization?

What is the total physical response of forgetting?

 

 

 

 

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LorenaOrlosky

I'm a 6th grade humanities teacher and a farmer. I teach reading, writing, social justice, history, and life skills to 11 and 12-year-old people during the week. When I'm not at school, I teach horses, goats, llamas, pigs, chickens, cats, and dogs how to deal with the demands of interacting with people. In my spare time, I devour the writing, music, and filmmaking of others as well as a healthy vegetarian diet.

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