memories

are fickle

sometimes they’re filled

with so much joy

that they bring

a thousand-watt smile

to my lips

and I feel amazing

like a naïve child

playing

and other times

I cry a

salty river of sorrow

and regret

as it brings up

pain and fears

that I try to run from

memories are mental notes

Inscribed in the mind

of the past

to teach me lessons

so that I don’t

make any more mistakes

and am reminded

of my successes

my memories

are what keep me

from falling

in an endless loop

the very definition of

insanity