An Answer For My Niece

For Jii

Why do yo write so much? she asks,

the young voice exasperated.

I seek an answer, stumble,

then grab what I can

and mould it into an answer:

I want to preserve moments.

Now, looking back,

I have more to say.

The words I couldn't find for you then:

To write is to record;

a text is a memory

of at least of the process of writing

and to read is to experience

the past, to unite

the past and this moment -

simply, culture.

14.01.2017