Coot

I wish I could remember all the moments. I wish I could remember when you gave me a roll of quarters And the first thing I did was put them all in my mouth.

I wish I could remember the adventures, Trips to the Sloan, The pumpkin patch, And the park.

I wish I could pour my memories into a bottomless bowl That I could drink from whenever I like. Satiate the longing I have to hold onto those moments forever.

Perhaps, though It is okay to forget those things. As long as I have something. And I have so many memories. The ones I have lost in translation pale in comparison To the concerts, The museums, The book you bought, read, and loved just to give to me. The way you listened to my words when I thought no one could hear.

Life is a fleeting, finite thing, And how lucky am I To have known you all of mine?

— Caitlin Cottrill ’26, English