Nadeem Qureshi

My Memory Box

Memories in a tiny box

A minuscule opening

Surely, too small

To fit anything valuable.

And yet my whole world

Squeezes tightly inside

And rests.

It shines brightly

As I swipe.

There’s our cat

Being naughty again.

Laughter catches me unaware:

My daughter walking our dog with a tow rope.

She forgot the lead - again.

Should have seen the face of the dog-sitter!

“Is she dangerous?”

“No – just forgetful.

Oh - you mean the dog.”

Flicking through again

University becomes college,

College becomes High school,

High School becomes Primary.

Bodies shrink and faces grow younger

Where else in our world does this happen?

A mystery captured in light,

In this little box,

My memory box.

There forever

Until

Oh no! - Only 5% left again!

I remember.....

Laughing, slipping, sliding;

Face-planting down a snowy hill;

A 3-year-old driving a bright red pedal car – giving out tickets;

Crystal Palace Park’s amazing, flawed dinosaurs;

And stroking a red-eyed, white-furred, old pet hamster…

‘Spooky’.

I remember…

The fabulous hole in one - At pirate crazy golf;

A pair of very naughty roller-skates – creating bruised egos;

The clearest blue sea in Thasos, exhibiting tiny urchin mines;

And the sight of the green parakeet…

Squawking and dancing.

I remember…

Lazing on the yellow grass

In the hot, hot summer of ’76;

Grandma making wobbly tea – the final time we met;

Seeing Dutch dolphins clicking, and jumping in tandem;

And the taste of rum and raisin ice-cream;

Dad favourite; and now…

Mine.

I remember…

Flying a home-made, fluttering kite,

Running from the toilet-monster

After pulling the cold, chain flush;

Seeing sky, sea, sky, sea

Battered by a ferocious North Sea;

And the taste of French-toast…

Melting in my mouth.

I remember…

The excitement and anticipation,

Cold, stark corridors,

Peopled by rushing blue nurses;

Holding a hot hand,

Which held a vice-like grip,

And the most amazing,

Heart-expanding, beautiful sight…

That was You!

Hans

My favourite uncle

Can I say that?

Calm and steady

When all around

My world

Shifted and rocked

Swirled and turned

Twisted inside and out

Open and loving

Wise and gentle

Introduced me to things

I’ve held for life

Gently shaping my growth

My world

An oasis within a desert

The eye within the storm

A treasure

No longer walking the Earth

And yet still patently here

With me

In my actions

My interests

My values

My heart

My favourite uncle

Hans