Soon, These Too Will Be Gone

I wish I’d listened when they told me
memories fade, even the good ones.
When young it seems impossible
you could ever forget things like
how my gran’s skin felt, feather-soft,
to touch seemed like nothing at all.
Nivea-scented, only beauty product
she’d ever use. Or, my papa’s shaving
brush on the bathroom shelf beside
the bottle of Old Spice. Playing
bingo with cards for two-pence pieces,
doing handstands in the living room,
Gran shouting, Sam! Watch your heart!
I wish I’d done more to protect them.
Precious moments. So much already
lost and soon, these too will be gone.