We Should Thank the Haunting Happy Memories

Summary

The poem reflects on a past relationship, expressing gratitude for the happy memories that unexpectedly resurface and evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Abstract

The poem "We Should Thank the Haunting Happy Memories" delves into the speaker's recollection of a time when they experienced love and joy. Set against the backdrop of autumn along the Hudson, the speaker reminisces about a day spent with a loved one, filled with art, affection, and a shared bath in a pink-tiled bathroom. Despite the relationship's pastness, the speaker encourages embracing the unexpected return of these joyful memories, suggesting that even the ghosts of happiness can be savored.

Opinions

The speaker values the unexpected resurgence of happy memories, viewing them as something to be thankful for.
There is a sense of nostalgia for a time when love was present and the experiences shared with that person.
The poem conveys that the beauty of past happy moments can still resonate and positively impact one's current life.
The speaker acknowledges the bittersweet nature of these memories, recognizing that while they are happy, they also belong to a past that is no longer accessible.
The poem suggests that the act of remembering can be a powerful and pleasurable experience, even when tinged with the melancholy of loss.

a poem about being surprised attacked by the past

One Hundred Days of Gratitude. Thirty-five.

High and helpless and happy and hot water in a deep enough tub.

They think: the last and only time bathroom tile was this pink — the leaves had started to fall along the Hudson, pooling along its banks and stone bridges, grates and gates.

Love was still with me then — so we went out into acres of art and did the obvious thing and kissed long and held long and froze time in no right or wrong.

And after it was dark and we had our special spiked coquito and we decided we needed to bathe and to see each other’s bodies again,

we couldn’t help but take in how pretty and pink the tile was in that little Hudson house with the one-eyed cat

where we were happy.

They think: don’t think about that.

Just savor the un-asked-for flavor and enjoy being haunted by the happy.