Lethe

And just like that, it's gone.

A moment flushed away in an instant.  An important need, a specific task: was it really done?  Medicines to support my health, and vital to how I feel, and I have to take them, but after a moment passes, I am left wondering: did I take those at all?  I can't just take another; it will just make me sick -- the directions say if I forget, to pass on today and continue tomorrow -- but what if I forget so often it becomes a problem? Some days, I don't remember at all.  Those little pill holders for each day of the week and apps to help you remember do absolutely nothing for me.  I still find a way to forget.  

This isn't the curse of old age or mental deterioration.  This is the curse of my life.  Even as a young man, I was forgetful, and nothing I do seems to help.

For chaos's sake, why can't I just be normal?

Where are you?

Sometimes, I wonder where you are.  

A face floats in my memory, an echo from many years in my past.  I can barely remember what that face even looks like.  It's more of an impression than an actual memory.  But I do remember our friendship.  How we would talk about nonsense, about our problems, and our futures.  

And then one day, we said goodbye for the last time, without even realizing it.  Our parting was not planned, or intentional: it was just a parting.

And even in this connected world we have, your name is a dead end among the many places to find people.  A jumble of unrelated, same-named imposters that stand in for you on those pages and you are nowhere to be found.

Where are you?  I just want to know if you're okay.  And if you ever think of me.