Capturing Moments Poem by Jim Yerman

Yesterday at a restaurant with family…during our talking, laughing…eating
one again I realized how every moment's fleeting.

A story is told, we laugh but that story's laughter does not last
because another story takes its place and it slips into the past.

So when a moment surfaces…before the next one arrives to displace it
I try to let that moment surround me and quietly embrace it.

Basically when I am seated with friends and family near
I try to capture as many moments as I can before they disappear.

Which moments to capture are subjective…they're for each one of us to define.
They could occur while looking at a menu…or ordering some wine.

When our nephew tells us of his travels or about the tennis he has played
or when his wife relives her marching in the Macy's Day parade.

When our niece talks about turning 50…when her daughter shares her fears..
Or when her other daughter tells a story…only for our family's ears.

(I will not give away her story…but here's a little peek
It had to do with something that landed on her cheek)

Or the moment we celebrated my birthday early and I noticed a gleam in every eye
as they sang happy birthday to me…while I stuffed my face with pie.

When following Deborah and the crew as around town they golf carted…
or in the tenderness of the hugs when everyone departed.

These are just a few moments I captured recently
at a dinner in a restaurant...surrounded by family.

I know these moments are fleeting….that they have a small life span
which is why I like to stop….and catch them when I can.

Because once I capture a moment…I can store it in my memory
where a moment that once was fleeting…can last an eternity.