Memories

Memories
Locked
Inside a box
Waiting to be let out

Memories
Left
Alone—all alone
Until another day

Memories
Beautiful
And painful, sometimes
But usually both

Memories
You’ve
Got to love them—
And hate them all the same

Memories
Creep
Usually unwanted; always unbidden
Into your most vulnerable thoughts

Memories
Hurt
Your heart when they send
A pang of remembrance into your soul

Memories
Keep
You locked in the past—
Wanting and waiting for a replay

Memories
Save
You from yourself
Sometimes…

Memories
Help
You remember the wrong
And help you to do the right

Memories
Serve
As reminders to the weakened
That they once were strong

And

Memories
Allow
Us to remember those gone, those we loved
And those we want to keep close

Finally

Memories
Are
The best—and the worst—
Part of growing as a person…
Are
The most
Influential parts
Of our long-term memory…
Are
Windows to the past…
And
Visions of the future.