The first time

I remember the first time I remembered –
Someone important had died and
neither of our two TV channels had any cartoons
They played sad music instead

I remember the first time his strap came whipping through the belt loops
And the first time she chased me around with a wooden spoon
Actually, I don’t remember the first time for either
I just remember it always being so

I remember my first real love
and the first time we lay together (I wonder if she remembers?)
I remember what it felt like to be young and in love
Now that I’m old for the first time

I remember the first time I left home
and the first time I came back
Nothing had changed,
so I remember the second time I left, too

I remember the first time I got married
and the first time I got divorced
I remember the second time I got married
and the second time I got divorced

I remember the third time I got married
I knew there could never be another
I need her to remember for me
the first time I can’t remember