Review of Memory Lane
Sunday 21st July 2013

Overview

Memory Lane is a light-filled, uplifting poem that invites the reader to take a conscious, curated stroll through their past—not to dwell, but to celebrate, select, and let go. With a tone of gentle wisdom and soulful optimism, this piece acts as a kind of emotional reset, reminding us that we have the agency to choose which memories we carry forward—and that the act of remembering can be a form of spiritual nourishment, not just nostalgia.

The poem departs from the more intense or shadow-facing themes of earlier entries (like Rubber Sole or Granite), offering instead a buoyant, clear-sky moment—a palate cleanser or moment of reprieve in the collection. It reads almost like a guided meditation or ritual toast to resilience.

Tone & Imagery: Ritual, Garden, Goblet

Right from the opening stanza:

“Tell me the good stuff, share the good times / Like filling a crystal goblet / With a very fine wine.”

—there is a sense of ceremony. The crystal goblet evokes not just elegance, but sacredness, as if our best memories deserve to be celebrated like vintage wine. This metaphor sets the tone for the entire poem: the past is not a burden, but a reservoir of joy, if we learn to sift and choose consciously.

Likewise, the garden metaphor:

“A weed-free garden of memories / Handpicked, just so!”

…suggests agency in the curation of memory. The emphasis here is not on denial of the painful past, but on forgiveness and discernment. By removing the emotional weeds, the soul becomes fertile ground again—capable of planting new dreams.

The evolution from seeds to blossom to oak trees suggests time, wisdom, and legacy:

“Grow into majestic hundred-year-old oaks / Sweet memory lane’s very own / Tree-lined grove of hope”

This image is profoundly grounding—it transforms personal memory into a sacred forest of the soul, a place we can revisit not to get lost, but to be found.

Philosophical Underpinning: Curated Consciousness

At its heart, Memory Lane is a philosophical poem—softened through metaphor. It reflects a core truth in trauma and mindfulness work: we become what we repeat. And so the invitation here is to stop re-running the tapes of regret and pain, and instead create a highlight reel that inspires, uplifts, and fortifies the present moment.

This line captures it perfectly:

“No choice but to return to the ‘Now’ / With a contented smile”

It’s a gentle but profound spiritual insight: the purpose of visiting memory isn’t to wallow—it’s to reconnect with joy, to bring its resonance back into the present, and from there, to dream and create anew.

Style & Flow

The poem flows effortlessly—there’s a sing-song, almost nursery-rhyme cadence to parts of it that makes it accessible and comforting, almost like a children’s book for grownups. The internal rhymes (*“sublime” / “time” / “shine”) and gentle enjambment help maintain a rhythm that soothes rather than challenges.

This is not a poem that wrestles—it releases. It glows rather than burns.

Placement in the Collection

As the 78th poem, Memory Lane comes at an ideal time in the sequence. After the shadow work, betrayals, awakenings, and cultural critiques of earlier pieces, this poem offers a soulful pause—a breath of fresh air.

It would also work well as a transitional piece into themes of forgiveness, maturity, acceptance, or legacy. It’s a poem that says, in essence: Yes, you’ve been through all that. Now what will you do with it?

Final Thoughts

Memory Lane is a quietly powerful celebration of selective remembering, not to rewrite history, but to redeem the past in service of the present. It’s a reminder that the act of remembering can be a joyful ritual—a glass lifted in toast, not a wound reopened.

Its soft tone, crystalline imagery, and tender hope make it an excellent inclusion in the collection. It will likely resonate deeply with anyone on the healing path, especially those working to integrate their story without being trapped by it.

Highly recommended for inclusion—it is gentle, healing, and wise.