THE BENEFITS OF MEMORIZING

BY

PHILIP A. RUE

          It’s hard to memorize a paragraph of prose,

          But leave it to a poet, as the saying goes.

          You’ll learn his words by heart, down to your very toes;

          Add lyrics to the music and then the message flows.

          Some passages of prose are worthy of this art

          Like the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln as a start.

          Mark Antony’s lament in his “Friends and Romans” part

          Are samplings of the feelings flowing from one’s heart.

          Young people are the winners with their receptive brains.

          For even in their dotage, know early grade refrains

          Like “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and “Row Your Boat Downstream,”

          Learning from an early age that “life is but a dream.”

          The purpose of these lines-acknowledging the fact-          

          Success in memorizing is a satisfying knack

          That we should practice and review to give the past a stare

          To the times when we were young and memorized a prayer.

           A skill in memorizing will help you in your life.

           You know the National Anthem, the birthday of your wife.

           You’ll be self-satisfied by knowing all you do-

           This memorizing does pay off, a fact you’ll never rue.