Zoom Class: Writing Our Memoirs

Zoom Class: Writing Our Memoirs

We collected our worlds in small handfuls

spreading them out on the paper like uncut

stones, rearranging them, trying to remember

the little details, embellishing when the

backward view became cloudy. For, like a

long-worn diamond ring, little chips of memory

were missing.

Reviving past events was like visiting the

eternal mythical fountain of youth, making

us feel young again, confident that our stories

were illustrious, holding special meaning for

those who will read them after we’re gone.

And while we waited our turn we listened!

As each, in orderly fashion, read our

vignettes into the camera, we listened,

with all our being! And we yearned to hear

our own stories tenderly, caringly reflected

from another’s heart.

After each poured her soul out, we applauded

and extolled the raconteur for her brave

unveiling of the intimate chapters of her life,

and thanked her for letting us share her joy

and for helping us heal old wounds.

Naida Lavon

Dec. 15, 2021,

Prompt: "They collected the world in small handfuls."

from The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss