Hypertext Magazine & Studio collaborated with Chicago’s Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center to bring writing workshops to their clients. This poem is a result of that collaboration.

By Brian Barnetti

I Remember

I remember my best friend Kevin.

I remember our teacher.

I remember us playing football.

I remember Ann.

I remember when she fell and died.

I remember I sang for cookies and milk.

I remember PO5-1313.

I remember Joyce and Donnell.

I Don’t Remember

I don’t remember when I lost my spinning top.

I don’t remember Faye’s kids.

I don’t remember where I hid my money.

I don’t remember being a bully.

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I don’t know what made me hang with the same goofy guys and girls for so long after knowing the stupid acts they do once intoxicated. I took them to the store with me when my care overheated. They were anxious to get going so, while in the gas station, they took the top off the radiator. All I know I saw three guys running so fast away with a  trail of liquid! The fluid shot straight out. Assholes!

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