how many times
did i stare
at the faded photograph
memorizing the faces
trying to recall
what it looked like
the colors not washed out
the scents
the feel
if i heard the voices today
i wouldn’t recognize them
i fear
they would be
as strangers
to my ears
that hurts
a deep down pain
that is near impossible
to explain
now my memories
are of those faded scenes
not the scene itself
all that is left
is sadness
for all that was lost