Memorizing, Remembering and Forgetting

the flute knew the way, the lips and fingers
followed, the notes played themselves,
the sound echoed off vaulted ceilings,
the Blessed Spirits filled the chairs,
eyes closed, the audience inhaled a full
breath to make it through to the end of
the phrase, exhaled with relief there were no
missed notes, even the high E sang out
clearly, renouncing its usual habit of
cracking for the event.
until the flutist forgot, the flute lost its way,
the lips closed, the fingers fumbled,
the piece stopped.
memory,
remembering,
forgetting
but not
forgotten.