I Remember (selections) By: Joe Brainard
I remember summer naps
of no sleeping. And Kool-aid.
I remember daydreams of
being a dancer and being able to leap higher than anyone else.
I remember daydreams of
being a singer alone on a big stage with no scenery, just on spotlight on me,
signing my heart out, and moving my audience to total tears of love and
affection.
I remember the tiger
lilies alongside the house. I
found a dime among them once.
I remember a very little
doll I lost under the front porch and never found.
I remember the sound of
the ice cream man coming.
I remember once losing
my nickel in the grass before he made it to my house.
I remember a big black
rubber thing going over my mouth and nose just before I had my tonsils taken
out. After my tonsils were taken
out I remember how my throat felt eating vanilla ice cream.
I
remember a photograph in Life magazine of a woman jumping off a
building.
I
remember not understanding how the photographer could have just stood there and
taken that picture.
I
remember when one year in Tulsa by some freak of nature we were invaded by millions
of grasshoppers for about three or four days. I remember, downtown, whole sidewalk areas of solid
grasshoppers.
I
remember, out walking in the rain, people scurrying by with their faces all
crunched up.
I remember that a good way to catch a cold
is to walk around barefooted. To
not get enough sleep. And to go
outside with wet hair.
I remember the first time I heard water
swishing around in my stomach (while running) and thinking that maybe I had a
tumor.
I remember walking down the street, trying
not to step on cracks.
I remember “If you step on a crack, you
break your mother’s back.”
I remember a brief period of “bad breath”
concern: the product of a health class at school. I remember that “most bad
breath is caused by germs.”
I remember that germs are everywhere!
I remember trying to visualize germs
(physically) as they crawl around all over everything.
I remember that my vision of germs pretty
much resembled normal insects, only much smaller, of course.
I remember sneezing into my hand, out in
public, and then the problem of what to “do” with it.
I remember in very scary movies, and in
very sad movies, having to keep reminding myself that “it’s only a movie.
I
remember the shadows of feet under the cracks of doors. And close-ups of doorknobs turning.
I
remember one day in gym class when my name was called out I just couldn’t say
“here.” I stuttered so badly that
sometimes words just wouldn’t come out of my mouth at all. I had to run around the field many
times.
I
remember what a hard time I had memorizing Shakespeare and how nervous I got
when it was my turn to recite.
I remember trying to memorize Shakespeare
so that words that began with sounds I stuttered on (s, b, etc.)
would not begin with a new breath.
(Do you know what I mean?)
I remember reading books out loud. Like Harry Potter. I would change the voices for each character, trying to make it seem as realistic as possible. My parents would eavesdrop and huddle as they whispered about my sanity.
ReplyDeleteI remember the past summer. I remember when it was really hot. I would feel tired and thirsty. Everyone would moan and groan due to the hotness. I remember this was one of the worst experiences of my life.
ReplyDeleteI remember summer trips to Turkey with my family. I remember being filled with joy to see the crystal-blue Mediterranean Sea, the mouth-watering cuisine, and the not-so-fun relatives. I remember being filled with uncontainable joy to arrive in my home country, where 2 continents meet, but being drowned with sadness to be leaving my home away from home.
ReplyDeleteI remember making myself a chicken sandwich. I remember spraying ketchup on my top. I remember my sister cleaning if off me. I remember the cold water seeping through my top. I remember thanking her and biting into the tender, spicy, chicken sandwich.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first cross-country race, on September 23, 2011. I remember the nerve-wrecking moments down to insignificant details. I remember Prospect Park in the fall, red and orange leaves, the cold winds, and the anxious runners. I remember the loud, ear piercing noise of the starting gun. I remember being knocked around among a mob of runners, approximately 50 freshmen wearing different colored jerseys, all so anxious to win, but even more to just finish. I remember nine minutes of huffing and puffing. I remember the sweat, the pain, the exertion, the force, the energy. I remember seeing the red finish line, and I remember that it was then that I lost all feeling. I remember pushing myself to the limit, finally touching the velvet, red strap, and hearing a loud uproar of cheer.
ReplyDeleteI remember "Show-and-Tell" in kindergarden. I remember small children sitting in a crooked circle on the worn out storytime rug. I remember each child holding something important to them they brought in to share. I remember one girl brought in a stuffed hippo and I remember thinking she was weird.
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteFrishta A,
ReplyDeleteI remember not being able to go with my mom on a spacial trip while my sister was able to go. I was very sad. I remember my dad saying that we will spend the whole entire day together. I remember my dad and I going to the amusement park. I remember my dad taking me to my favorite restaurant. I remember my dad buying me a orange and blue ball. I remember playing with my friends with the ball. I remember my dad taking me to the best ice cream shop in town and buying me ice cream. I remember my sister crying because she was not the one who had the experience but instead was stuck with my mom.
I remember breaking my arm by falling off a ledge.
ReplyDeleteI remember the cracking noise my arm made when it hit the pavement. I remember the pain I felt along the way to the hospital.
I remember the comforting feeling I received when I put on my cast.
I remember feeling handicapped, doing everything with only one arm.
I remember the relief I felt when I took off my cast.
LOLOL Mir. You deserve it.
Deletejk
I remember the many lego pieces I lost under my bed. Red, blue, green, yellow, and many more colors vanished from beneath my fingers. I remember my first lego creation. I remember making my own lego creations and showing them off. Then destroying them to make my next masterpiece. The vivid colors all around. On the carpet and inside my lego box. And then the sound of bedtime.
ReplyDeleteThis activity was very good because it brought out my memories and thoughts. It also helped with my creative writing and the memory of my childhood.
I remember my first grade trip to the Bronx Zoo.
ReplyDeleteI remember my partner got sick right before we left and had to go home.
I remember I then had to be paired up with a large, angry girl.
I remember she tended to spit on her jacket a lot. I really don't know why but it was pretty gross.
I remember looking at all the adorable animals.
I remember one kid getting too excited to eat lunch and as he was running to a table he fell on his face.
I remember the joy from laughing at him.
Good times.
I remember eating an ice-cream sundae the size of a basketball. I remember seeing chocolate chip cookies staked in a pile as big as the Empire State Building. I remember the sweet smell of backed cinnamon buns filling the air. I remember the walls lined with cotton candy; soft, colorful candy that would melt the instant you placed it on your tongue. I remember that it was all just a sweet dream.
ReplyDeleteI remember being in the Museum of Natural History when i was a toddler.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mother calling me to come to her.
I remember running toward her with my stubby legs.
I remember banging into a glass door
I remember watching "Revenge," and waiting during the commercial break. I would sit on my soft couch waiting for the show to return, with soft baked, but crunchy chocolatey baked cookies. I remember hearing that one comemrcial that said "Head on apply directly to your forehead." I remember seeing a black screen, because I'd rather watch nothing at all, then to sit throught that stupid commercial.
ReplyDeleteI remember jumping into the freezing cold water. I remember my coach screaming at me. I remember the people who fell on the deck. I remember the coach laughing at them. I remember looking at the kids who fell turn red. I remember they just ran away.
ReplyDeleteI remember the squishy wet sound of swishing a floating dead fish with a straw.
ReplyDeleteI remember the funny look of its face when I tried to push it down to the bottom with the straw and the awful, burning, searing pain in my wristbone.
I remember how evil, snickering me tried to post on facebook the following: Hehe >:) Mission Accomplished. mARiNe TArGet terminated.
I remember buying a new fish that day, one that had a golden white coat of shiny, sparkling gills, and labeling it Mini-Target...
I remem_ _ _.
That's incredibly disturbing.
DeleteEvil Me in the 4th grade...
Delete--------This activity was very thought-provoking so it helped me jog my memory. Also, I believe that it's a great way to end the schoolyear since I personally believed that many of us learned things like The Chosen, Julius Caesar, etc but we never really had learned what it means to ACTUALLY write for fun (or did we?). Anyway, I liked how we could read off people's posts and voice our opinions on it.....
DeleteI remember the darkness of 2003. The strange quiet that buzzed over the city as the power went out.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first day of school, where being alone with a bunch of strangers scared me.
I remember the fire at a restaurant, the one that I went to for mothers day every year. It has been rebuilt though.
I remember having to eat my vegetables. It was horrible with the bitter broccoli and flavorless spinach.
I remember going to Disney! The world of magic and imagination until one of costumes "malfunctioned" and exposed a scary unshaven man under it.
I remember the warmth of the flame as the set expressions and blonde hair of the barbies shriveled up and melted in my hands.
ReplyDeleteI remember questioning my sanity
I remember wanting Ice cream afterwards
I remember getting Ice cream. Pralines and cream
I remember seeing a boy outside of baskin robins with a green sweater that said "your birth was a fail"
I remember remembering that specifically so I could say it to my brother.
I remember his expression when I told him.
I remember feeling accomplished because earlier that day he told me I would get alzheimer's and not see halleys comet when it passed again.
I remember sleepless nights next to my mother, being scared of Freddy Kruger. I remember sweat dripping from my forehead, and slowly reaching my lips to give me that bitter salty taste on my taste buds. I remember half tears as my mother fell asleep, but the warmth I got when she held me.
ReplyDeleteI remember picking figs off a fig tree, touching the soft fragile skin that would burst in succulent juices if handled roughly
ReplyDeleteI remember the golden honey dripping out of the crevices in the fig's fuzzy cover, and my taste buds screaming in anticipation
I remember my lips gently biting into the fig, and its ripe sweetness overtaking my innocent senses
I remember looking over the fig tree into the mountains, valleys and rivers and the signature red brick roofs.
I remember hearing the church bells ring once...twice.
I remember love and pride of Lebanon, its beauty as timeless as its cedars trees.
I remember the chimes of the ice cream truck.
ReplyDeleteI remember how every child's mouth started to water as they imagine the sweet succulent coldness finally reaching their tongue.
I remember the whines and cries of children as they pleaded their parents for ice cream.
I remember seeing the mass of children running toward the truck. Each shoving a dollar or so and screaming at the ice cream man their order.
I remember going to Coney Island for the first time.I remember cold touch of the water and the breezy winds.I remember the sweet smell of cotton candy and barbecue chicken.I remember getting excited on the kiddie's roller coaster. I remember the sounds of my sister's cries because she was afraid of riding the merry go round. I remember how I dizzy I became after two rounds on the tea cups. I remember the awkward moment when I didn't know how to ride a bump car.
ReplyDeleteI remember the smell of disgusting smoke from the barbecue, the sound of two annoying ice cream truck tunes, and the nervous tension between my teammates and I. We were surrounded by the rough green turf and a tan ovular track with six lanes. I remember the panting and the tired looks on the faces of the people running by on the track while we watched and waited for our turn. As the people running finished one by one, I remember the look on their faces saying "Thank god I am done", but in my mind, I went "Oh, my god." as I silently cried inside.
ReplyDeleteI remember sitting on the floor with my sister.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching The Simpsons.
I remember my sister jumping on me and kicking me directly in my eye.
I remember crying and my sister begging me to not tattletale on her.
I remember my eye turning black and blue the next day.
I remember my eye twitching and it hurt a lot.
I remember being a princess at the park, spinning around.
ReplyDeleteI remember the cold swings that every child ran into.
I remember the monkey bars were so cold that I had to wear gloves.
I remember I couldn't pass the second bar and
I remember being furious because I couldn't believe I was this weak.
I remember when the ice cream man would come and I would run to see him.
I remember how I was never first to buy ice cream that was on the park at East 14ST.
I remember I was be next and scream, "Vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles please!"
I remember how the ice cream would be melting into my tiny hands and I would try to eat quickly but I remember I would never finish it.
I remember wishing to be old and now I regret what I said.
I remember that I had only one worry.
I will always remember my memories.
I remember kicking some kid in the shin while playing soccer and still winning the game. I remember getting a happy meal toy and then seeing how cheap it is. I remember breaking my neighbor's window and then blaming my friend for it. I remember getting away with it.
ReplyDeleteI remember not having 4 hours of homework a day. I remember not remembering my brother's birthday. I remember wondering if the wine in church was just really sour grape juice. I remember my old friends at catholic school.
I remember parting ways with my old friends. I remember getting cut from my bottom lip to my chin and the instantaneous pain that came with it. I remember getting rubber bands lodged between my teeth and not getting to eat the good food that my mom cooked. I remember meeting all of you for the first time.
I remember the sound of basketball bouncing on the ground and hitting the rim of the basketball net when playing basketball with my friend.
ReplyDeleteI remember learning how to play the harmonium and sing Bengali songs.
I remember daydreams of being a princess living in a golden castle when I was young.
I remember the still, quiet pond near the village house of my father in Bangladesh.
I remember losing one gold earring (22 K) in the stairwell of my elementary school and never found it.
I remember the first ice cream cake I had at my friend’s birthday party when I was in second grade.
I remember being a “wing girl” for my friend, sending notes and gifts to her crush and bring information about her crush to her in middle school.
I remember when my father cried so hard when he heard his mother died. I cried inside to see my father so sad.
I remember getting a 22K gold, heart shape locket (that opens) on my eleventh birthday.
I remember when I unintentionally killed a worm (I threw it in a puddle of water and it rotted.
I remember taking my time to do my homework.
ReplyDeleteI remember falling asleep at 10PM.
I remember I used to think sleep was stupid. Now I think it is precious.
I remember automatically waking up at 7AM. I wake up at 1PM now.
I remember the vegetables my grandma grew. I remember how they always came out again during the summer and hid during the winter.I remember the joy of eating the freshly cooked vegetables for dinner together with my family.I remember the crispy crunching in my mouth every time I chewed. I remember telling my grandma what an amazing cook she was.
I remember the day I decided to become famous... still working on it!
ReplyDeleteI remember the day my parents told me I couldn't transfer.
i remember the day my acceptance letter came.
I remember the joy of seeing that I got accepted.
I remember telling my parents, and them not being happy.
I remember ripping the acceptance letter into tiny pieces.
I remember eating Chinese food and saying "If I can't transfer... I'll just become famous"
I remember deciding to write a book.
I remember telling everyone about my book idea, everyone thought I had a psychological problem.
I remember working on my book as much as possible.
I remember being with friends after school, while talking about my book.
I remember talking about the future, being famous.
You go gurrrrll ♥
DeleteI remember the walks through the rain where I use an umbrella.
ReplyDeleteI remember the wet trees, benches, and playground.
I remember the train speeding by with its loud noise.
I remember looking at the time and realizing I should be home.
I remember not caring and waiting til someone called.
I remember walking through the front and getting yelled at for not taking care of my health.
I remember being put into a specific class. I remember being a short and cheerful child, yet my parents seemed to still chose my friends. I remember traveling with my friends all around the bright, horn honking, and alive city. I remember the home feeling that my old school gave off. I remember the smiles from the teachers and students, past and present. I remember those eleven years went by quickly as we all began to grow up and drift apart. I remember remembering...
ReplyDeleteI remember the switch from analog to digital. For weeks, all I heard were the "SHHHH!" noises and the flashing of black and white dots across my screen.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching pokemon and throwing a ball of yarn onto the floor hoping a pikachu would burst out.
I remember the sweet smell of turkey and rich creamy taste of gravy every year on the fourth thursday of every November.
I remember shaving the small amounts of hair on my chin and acting as if I had a thick mustache . which I now have .
I remeber how I got so much money on birthday. I remember being so happy to feel those crisp green twentys. I remember walking nervously as I was about to make a transaction. I remember the suspicious way the seller looked at me as if I didn't belong. I remember handing Over my money nervously as sweat accumulated on my brow. I remember hearing cars honk and people yelling. I remember opening the bag I bought and biting into that delicious Hershey's milk chocolate. I remember eating it all five minutes later and wishing that I had more.
ReplyDeleteNice... good memory
DeleteCute c: ♥
DeleteI remember being in the hospital when each of my siblings were gone.
ReplyDeleteI remember hating it, not knowing why I had to be there.
I remember hating my siblings because they took away all the attention.
I remember crying when I got accepted to Tech. I remember my friends crying when they didn't get in. I remember not caring that much since they didn't study. I remember masking these feelings and pretending to be heart broken.
I remember when my leg got caught between the platform the the train. I remember the train about to move. I remember laughing when the experience was over. I remember half wishing it did get broken. I remember when my dad questioned my mental state. I remember not knowing what to answer.
The first one should be: I remember being in the hospital when each of my siblings were born during the cold, moonless nights.
Deletei remember the taste of Honeysuckles
ReplyDeleteI remember when i was sick: How I annihilated box after box of tissues. How my nose was rosy and fuzzy. I remember the sharp smell of the ointment applied. I remember the countless pills that knocked me out at night. I remember reading when I was too sick to go to school.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I went to elementary school; the nervous excitement within me as I approached the school doors, the cheerful and supportive words of my parents fresh in my mind. I remember taking a deep breath, and finally entering the school for the first time.
ReplyDelete......... cool story bro.
DeleteI remember the brutal yet amazing summer soccer games in the pouring rain. I remember tasting the salty and cold raindrops that fell from the sky. I remember falling purposefully to make splashes in puddles, then getting up to do it again. I remember losing many of those summer soccer games. I remember still smiling after the defeat because the rain felt good on my face. I remember happiness.
ReplyDeleteI remember running up and down the rusting reddish fire escape. High above the safety of the floor, noise came from the streets, dogs barking, people talking, and Cars honking their horns. The smell of smoke was very prominent, and you could even taste it.My mom would come running after me, adding a new sound to the mix. When returning inside, I would think of my next solo sojourn to the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI remember my childhood, its simplicity and happiness simply perplexing.
ReplyDeleteI remember my family and friends "the moonlight of my life, every night"
I remember the park, the place I wanted to be the most.
I remember love, heavily sprinkled over happiness and excitement.
I remember feeling cool whenever I stumbled upon a 2 dollar bill.
I remember what I hope to never forget.
During the summer, I remember sleeping until 3 in the afternoon
ReplyDeleteI remember not being in Gateway
I remember thinking that Adham and Erika were siblings
I remember a seal beanie I lost when I was 5.
I remember having a whole family of Tweety birds, and I still have them.
I remember never getting ice cream from ice cream trucks.
I remember building an igloo on my neighbor's driveway with my friends. The cold dry air hit us as we continued to dig into a pile of snow. After hours of work we finish and I poke squares on the igloo the complete it. Sadly, my neighbor demanded that we cleaned up the snow that was scattered around her driveway and that we take down the igloo. I remember disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI remember not being able to make the double "rr" in Spanish when I was four years old. I was made fun of by my own family and felt bad. I remember trying so hard to pronounce certain words and getting help from my mom. I remember spending time with my family, making jokes, eating big meals, and playing a lot of sports. I remember the long fun summer days at the park with awesome barbecues and lots of cold drinks.
ReplyDeleteI remember pretending I was a princess, twirling in place.
ReplyDeleteI remember playing with my Barbie dolls.
I remember pretending I was in a different place under my sheets.
I remember dressing up.
I remember the kitchen play set in my room.
I remember the amount of toys in my room.
I remember getting lost in my own world.
I remember being a little girl where nothing else matter, except for the amount of pink you decide to wear that day.
I remember getting ice cream at the ice cream truck everyday afterschool.
ReplyDeleteI remember the big white ice cream truck idling by on the street, waiting for the hordes of kids to come running out of the school.
I remember waiting in the never ending line with my friends
I remember the constant chattering from the other kids in line as they talk about what they want to get.
I remember having to deal with the sun beating down on me while I was waiting.
I remember how I always had a hard time choosing what I wanted even when it was my turn to order.
I remember how excited I got whenever I got my ice cream and how quickly I would eat it.
I remember always going to the park once I had it
I remember the restless nights because of the immense amounts of homework.
ReplyDeleteI remember the times when I believed I was a great athlete until I was beaten.
I remember the plants that my mother bought, but never grew.
I remember the clothes that would sit on the floor idle, waiting to be folded.
I remember watching Family Matters and hearing Steve Urkel's ridiculous laugh.
I remember listening to those annoying commercials that said "Head on, apply directly to the head!"
I remember dozing off to sleep because my eyelids refused to stay open.
I remember the loud crack behind me.
ReplyDeleteI remember the sharp pain that I felt on my side of my head.
I remember a boy, grinning with evilness of what he just did.
I remember my fist connecting with his nose and a loud crack that followed.
I remember him crying into his hands and dropping his weapon.
I remember satisfactory.
Sam. c
ReplyDeleteI remember the smell of rice and beans from my mom's kitchen.
I remember flying in the air for 5 seconds when i was a little kid with a big umbrella in strong wind.
I remember getting slapped in the face. Really hard
I remember when my average was above a 98.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I didn't worry about school.
I remember when I had more than 6 hours of sleep.
I remember when I cared so much more.
I remember when I didn't rejoice for the last day of school.
I remember that time that I sat at home thinking about what life is because it was summer vacation and I was just that bored.
I remember when school wasn't something to worry about.