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Out of Sight, Out of Mind

I lost a friend; Jason really loved his gin. One night while he was on a binge. He walked off into the deep end, now no one has ever seen Jason again. I lost a friend; his life was his duffle sack. One day he headed to Iraq. I didn’t know him when he came back, well I guess Billy’s mind slipped right off its track. I lost a friend; his name was old Stan the Man. Spent two tours in Afghanistan. Survived bullets and scorching heat, just to come home and get shot down in the street. I lost a friend; lived in a house on the hill. Had two kids and a bag of pills. One day they found her on the floor, she’s not going to need those pills anymore. I lost some friends; I only think about them. Oh, once in a while, now and then. Don’t want to seem harsh or unkind, but as they say, they’re out of sight, out of mind. You know that life is a very fickle thing. Make the best of what it might bring. We’re just a bright flash ‘cross the screen, before we can blink… we’re just a memory.

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Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 10/12/2023 2:41:00 PM

I think we all tend to forget those we've lost. It's not that we're heartless. We just move on and live our lives. Memories linger, though. Like you said, someday, we'll all be a memory. Powerful stuff here. Faving this one, Sara

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 4:40:00 PM

Thanks for the fav, Sara. I guess all we can do is live a life that makes it harder to forget. Because even memories will fade into history.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/12/2023 12:42:00 PM

We remember and we forget too. So many go on their way…some by natural causes, some by their own devices. Life is a funny thing.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 4:38:00 PM

As time moves on, so do we. Thanks for dropping by Kim.

Deb M

Date: 10/12/2023 8:47:00 AM

Interesting, reflective and so well written and the last line sums it up perfectly….Love this Jerry! Debx

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 10:00:00 AM

Thanks, Deb. We must make the best of each moment. Enjoy it while we have it.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/12/2023 4:24:00 AM

wow Jerry, you stopped me in my tracks this morning. Every word is true but the ending, wow ! it cleaves my heart, I think I will remember this one for long time coming, :)

Eve Roper

Date: 10/11/2023 8:50:00 PM

Yes, out of sight, out of mind. And yes, before we can blink… we’re just a memory. But life still goes on with or without us. Enjoyed reading , but also sadden me. We lose so many the older we get, but yet we are still here until it's our turn.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:54:00 AM

So true Eve. This is why we all seek fame. To be remembered if only through our work. Who knows, if we keep writing perhaps one day, they will find my work hidden under some pile of rags in the attic and think it a masterpiece.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/11/2023 7:52:00 PM

Call me a killjoy, but this is why certain religions have ritualized mourning and fixed mourning periods. E.g., first 3 days, most intense; next 4 days a bit less intense. No leaving the house for those seven days; concentrate on remembering the one who passed. Next 23 days easing back to the daily routine, but not getting haircuts or cutting nails. Next 10 months, still no attending parties... The point is to keep one's mind on the dearly departed (relative). Thanks for reading. ~ KJ (Killjoy)

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:51:00 AM

But where is the line drawn? Do I do that for someone I once knew in high school or even an old Army mate? Sure, for loved ones it makes sense, but surely not for every friend.

The Situation

Date: 10/11/2023 6:32:00 PM

Dying young is a fade now. Presently trying to avoid a heart attach.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:48:00 AM

We never know how many days each of us is allotted. I try to live by making each one count. Kick and scream until the last breath my friend.

Karen Jones

Date: 10/11/2023 6:25:00 PM

This is a uniquely written poem in that it pulls the out of sight to memory. I like the energy and the slight sarcasm if you will. It is no nonsense.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:45:00 AM

Thanks, Karen. I've found that life quickly moves on and memories of us grow fewer until we disappear from history.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 10/11/2023 3:29:00 PM

Hello Jerry Out of sight out of mind. is my motto. also When trying to decide whether to buy A or B I walk away because i cannot decide. Most t of my friends have passed for me it is out of sight out of mind. Enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 10/12/2023 10:36:00 AM

Hello Jerry, I am well aware of who I went to school with. I remember my school friends passing away. I do miss them.Yet I do not remember what they look like now. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene\

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:42:00 AM

Sometimes I will hear that so and so from high school; died and I will say I'm sorry for your loss but what I mean is, who was he?

Lin Lane

Date: 10/11/2023 3:27:00 PM

I always feel as unimportant as a grain of sand when I stand on a beach. Sometimes, a seashell, not the pretty kind, the broken one. I hope when I'm gone, my family and friends remember me with a smile on their lips. I'd settle for that, although I'll never know it. Great writing, Jerry.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:40:00 AM

To be remembered by our children and their children is about as much as we can ask for.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/11/2023 2:34:00 PM

A thought provoking piece Jerry and I agree that life is so fragile as i know with family health issues at the moment. hugs jan xx

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 10/12/2023 9:38:00 AM

I know, that I miss my parents and siblings, my children remember them less, and my grandchildren did not know them at all. By the time their children come along, we will be forgotten. sad to think about.