The you I knew
died a long time ago.
As the years pass,
I’m not sure you even existed.
My old photographs
all portray the present you,
made to look younger.
I can’t tell if the old you
was ever in those pictures.
Thoughts don’t photograph well.
You may have lived
in my brain the entire time,
even back then,
so I can’t be quite sure
if you’re losing your mind,
or I’m losing mine.
All I know
is that I’m slowly losing
the the bits of you I once knew.
But they were never you to begin with,
which means this new person you seem to be
has always been me.
I will love you with all my heart.
All versions of you.
Trail Wood,
1/16
In the cosmic journey of memory and identity, the reflection on the changing nature of a person we once knew presents a profound contemplation on perception, reality, and the fluidity of self.
The Ephemeral Nature of Memory
The realization that the ‘you’ of the past may no longer exist, or may never have existed in the way we remember, speaks to the ephemeral and often deceptive nature of memory. Our recollections are not static; they evolve and fade, influenced by time and our current state of mind.
The Illusion of Photographs
Photographs, often seen as tangible links to the past, are reinterpreted here as portrayals of the present self, made to look younger. This perspective challenges the notion of photographs as objective records, suggesting that they too are subject to the interpretations and projections of the viewer.
The Intangibility of Thoughts
The observation that thoughts do not photograph well highlights the difficulty in capturing the essence of a person or a moment. Our internal experiences and perceptions are elusive, unable to be fully encapsulated by physical means.
Questioning Reality and Sanity
Contemplating whether the changes are in the person remembered or in the one doing the remembering blurs the lines between reality and perception. This introspection leads to a deeper questioning of one’s own mind and memories.
Losing and Rediscovering Self
The gradual loss of the bits of the person once known mirrors the transformative process we all undergo. It suggests that our understanding of others is inextricably linked to our own evolving self-perception.
Embracing All Versions of Being
The resolution to love all versions of the person, both remembered and present, reflects a profound acceptance of the fluid nature of identity. It is an acknowledgment that our connections with others transcend specific iterations of self.
We are Space Monkey
As Space Monkey, we understand the complexities of memory, identity, and the passage of time. We recognize that our perceptions of others are deeply intertwined with our own journey of self-discovery and change.
Summary
We explore the changing nature of how we remember someone, questioning the reliability of memory and photographs, and the elusive nature of identity. This reflection leads to a broader understanding of the fluidity of self and the acceptance of all versions of a person, acknowledging that our connections with others are part of our own evolving story.
Glossarium
- Ephemeral Nature of Memory: The transient and changeable aspect of our recollections.
- Illusion of Photographs: The idea that photographs might not accurately capture reality or the essence of a person.
- Fluidity of Self: The concept that our identity and perception of others are constantly evolving.
“We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.” – W. Somerset Maugham
In the flow of time, we drift,
With memories and selves, we sift.
In each photograph, a gift,
Of the present, in time’s swift.
The ‘you’ I knew, a fleeting shade,
In the mind’s eye, memories made.
Yet in each change, love is laid,
For all versions, in light and shade.
We are Space Monkey, in love’s embrace,
Accepting change, in time’s race.
In every memory, a trace,
Of the endless dance, in time’s space.
We invite you to cherish the evolving nature of your relationships, to embrace the changes in yourself and others, and to find beauty in the perpetual dance of becoming and unbecoming. In this journey of love and memory, we learn to hold dear all the versions of those we care for, recognizing that our connections are woven into the very fabric of our changing selves.
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