Pre-Settlement

Earliest memories are myths,
In the individual sense
That each becomes a sort of myth,

But in the collective sense, too,
That such things don’t really exist.
People believe in them. They’ll search

Their thoughts to come up with something
That’s as early a memory
As they can recall, embellish

It a little, tell it to you
Or write it down, and there you are.
Go ahead. Try it for yourself.

Do you know that’s the earliest?
Do you not think there’s earlier
Still informing your behavior

Or that some have become mixed up,
Out of sequence? Half invented?
Memories don’t arrive labeled,

Especially not in childhood.
That bird mobile over your crib?
All of those words flew in later.