A Note on Oubliettes
An oubliette is an extremely deep pit that prisoners used to be thrown into if they
were sentenced to be forgotten. Most oubliettes were just deep, narrow holes that
would basically allow a prisoner to molder away unnoticed. However, some (notably
Marie de' Medici's) were considerably more horrific, effectively eliminating a prisoner
before he even reached the bottom. My memory often seems to operate like the latter.
Oubliette
Another day, another detail lost,
Of import to none but me.
A word or two--no more--
That I meant to cherish eternally.
Always, it seems I shan't forget,
But let a minute pass,
And the words, the conversation,
Disappear entirely--alas!--
My mem'ry is riddled with holes
In all of the worst places.
And what is the use of a mind
That remembers far less than it erases?
December '99