by Diana Arnold

History also interests me, just differently.

 

You know dates

You know facts

You memorized even

A paragraph or two

When you were younger

To drop in to

Some future conversation

 

But no matter gentleman, I know feelings.

 

I know which street corner

Where the light hit your collar

How much salt was on my skin

And which day of the week it was when you failed me.

 

I too have a good memory, it’s just for better things.

 

Your facts are for the public

They are not unique

Anyone can know them

But I -

I am an historian

 

I cite the personal

 

Haven’t you learned yet

That the more specific you get

The more you become universal