My somewhat demented friend spontaneously
bursts into song after song−show tunes
ballads, The Star Spangled Banner,
lyrics and melodies perfectly rendered,
but can’t recall what we talked about
ten minutes ago.
Why can’t our great Healers re-purpose
the musical portion of the brain
to retain more useful memories−names
dates and places−same as they transform
a big toe into a thumb, tendon into ligament
veins into arteries, water into wine?
I demand a miracle and soon!
Until then, I’ll try and learn to sing.
