“our memories make us who we are. they are the seat of our values and source of our character … [memorizing is] about taking a stand against forgetfulness; and embracing primal capacities from which too many of us have become estranged … it’s about nurturing something profoundly and essentially human .” (joshua foer)

july creative writing challenge day 17: write a short rhyming poem inspired by a book you just read.

the savant

a prodigious rain man
isn’t mere folklore
just an ingenious mind
with the will to remember more.

just as a mental athlete
who once a journalist
built himself a palace
of nostalgic kingdoms; clever memory tricks.

and so the ancient savant
with his impossible human mind
isn’t perhaps of extraordinary difficulties
just a memory master reminding us to be kind.

(inspired by the book moonwalking with einstein by joshua foer , usa memory champion)