Forgetting Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

Creeping age and uncertainty
Go together.
No, that is a generalization
And hence partly untrue.
Let me moderate that statement
with a ‘sometimes’.

Today I came out from my apartment
Dressed in lounge suit rather unusual;
From the flat in front also
Emerged a stranger in suit.
Since he waited a second for me
Before entering the lift,
I closed my door
And rushed in.
In the background I hear my wife's refrain,
'You are always more worried about others.'

As we reached ground
Question rose whether the hook
Clicked, or had remained stuck?
None was at home: and, Tillumma
Is always anxious that I am careless.

Since driver was not ready down,
Thought it wise to go back up
And check. It was shut.
While rushing back, I thought
“Supposing thief had entered
And closed it shut from inside? ”
Like Wordsworth on Lucy:

Of course, no great difference to me.
It is to consider too curiously.

Got into the car now,
Checked my wrist for time
Found I had forgotten
To wear my wrist-watch.


D T Joseph,
07.02.08