Anamnesis

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

eyes closed
i evoke you from sheer memory
when i fail
i try reading your words
as if vowels can return you to me

i first forgot your touch —
your arms around me and then
your lips on mine

your eyes, next,
are they green-gold in the sunshine or
was that something in a movie

then, swiftly,
the weight of your body on mine
your voice speaking my name

if cell by cell
our bodies regenerate —
how long then

until no more of me
remembers you?

I, like Theseus’ ship, am wholly changed