The Evanescence of Thought

reflections on disappearance and permanence

Photo by Eli DeFaria on Unsplash

THE EVANESCENCE OF THOUGHT


For you, there is only the present
The past recedes in wisps of smoke
Stranding dead end trails in its wake.

Memory persists for a few seconds
Creating an empty echo
Preceded by a few words
That dangle enticingly 
Remaining incomplete, unfinished,
Begging for more.

Your focus lives in sensual time
Smelling the sweet scent of flowers
The dawning recognition of a familiar face
Awareness alighting on the elaborate tattoo on someone’s arm,

Visual images hold you for what seems an eternity
A mere moment of experience congealing with meaning,
An oasis in the vast expanse of space
That is your world.

You enjoy the silence that allows perceptions
To float and take form,
You search for answers long after questions are asked
Affirming that something indelible remains.

You lose yourself in your  passion for music, 
The physicality of dance,
The palpable affection of puppies
Encounters that stir positive emotions and joy.

You retain a sense of irony and humor,
Laughing when I refer to your sister as your mother
Describing as ironic the juxtaposition of thinking about me
With actually seeing me sitting on your porch swing.

You announce surprise and satisfaction
Blessing the here and now with significance.
You express boundless love and appreciation
Demonstrating that life is worth living.
© 2025 Stephanie M. Vargo