Just a few notes

Another  involuntary memory

Came up today when chasing

The hi-fi system we eventually

Managed to trace it, installed it

And checked the installation.

We tried it by inserting a CD.

Hearing the first few notes

Brought back to memory

My cousin's sudden scream,

The bathroom door slamming

Against the wall

Her appearing in her birthday suit

Shouting at the top of her voice

"What is it called? What is it called?"

My raising a questioning eyebrow and shoulder

And keeping quiet.

Her marching menacingly 

Armed with her hairbrush to me.

"Tell me what is it, the name of this music?"

"Why?" I answered wanting to know more

About this unknown side of her.

"I've been wanting to know the name of this piece

For five years, I recorded it on a tape

But it run short when the DJ announces the title.

 It's my favourite music

And I don't know what it is called."

"What about Tchaikovsky Concerto no 1?"

It's funny how I had totally forgotten

This episode. Just a few notes away

Allows one to renew with the past.

L. Bailliet©

22/09/2012

Unpacking memories

Everyone knows of the role played

By the taste of famous madeleine in

Proust involuntary memory,

But I discovered another source

While unpacking boxes

During this week move.

I have rediscovered moments

Of my past life, past friends,

Past trips, past holidays,

Through everyday objects

That have been stored away

For almost a year and forgotten.

A sugar pot from Normandy,

An ashtray and a vase from Spain,

A market impulse buying of a jam spoon

With my daughter on a wintery day

They have all brought up in mind

Younger times and emotional souvenirs.

It has often a bitter sweet feeling

Associated with it, of something gone

Forever but worth remembering

All the same.

L. Bailliet©

18/09/2012