My Meandering Response
After a screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
[Thank you Charlie Kaufman.]
I feel stranded.
Lost in surroundings unfamiliar to me.
A darkness creeping in.
Beliefs put to the ultimate
Test . . . test.
Can anyone hear me?
I need help!
Wait! That one memory!
Fading…
Like poor, pathetic, pitiable Joel, I struggle to hold on
To the one good memory
That I yearn to remember, to keep me sane.
Getting rid of me?!
I will show you!
How dare you . . .
But wait!
Do I regret this snap decision?
Why should I?
The only problem—
Memory is fading.
Wait! I see you!
Don’t go! Please . . . need . . . want . . . desire . .
Fading . . .
Struggling with matters of the heart
. . . is fading . . .
you will be gone soon.
Unless all of this can . . . STOP . . . STOP!
Now alone, I have the healthiest thought.
The memories are good…
Even without you here.
I have reached—STATE OF AWARENESS!
Acceptance.
Of all follies and strengths.
WHAT WE ARE—TOGETHER YET ALONE.
And I am all right.
Free to begin again . . . alone.