Transient Global Amnesia

In an eye, in a mirror—

The mastery of passion requires loneliness.
The teacher said.
    —Elisa Gonzalez

Emily Dickinson - Poem 895 

Further in Summer than the Birds -
Pathetic from the Grass -
A minor Nation celebrates
It's unobtrusive Mass.

No Ordinance be seen -
So gradual the Grace
A gentle Custom it becomes -
Enlarging Loneliness -

Antiquest felt at Noon -
When August burning low
Arise this spectral Canticle
Repose to typify -

Remit as yet no Grace -
No furrow on the Glow,
But a Druidic Difference
Enhances Nature now -

 

NOTE 

Transient global amnesia: a neurological disorder with a temporary but almost total disruption of short-term memory with a range of problems accessing older memories. With no other signs of impaired cognitive functioning, a person recalls only the last few moments of consciousness and has almost no capacity to establish new memories, but generally appears otherwise mentally alert and lucid. The degree of amnesia is profound.

Further, I imagine this disorder as viral among groups, creeds, and adherents of certain beliefs; even entire nations. Certainly the three words — Transient. Global. Amnesia. — individually and collectively evoke a familiar state of affairs.

The street art visibles presented here emerge as recognitions of this deeply abiding archetype: Transient global amnesia.