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Cornelis Van Poelenburch, "The Expulsion from Paradise" (after 1646)

I remember very old people when I was very young. Their houses smelled funny.

I remember a boy. He worked in a store. I spent a fortune buying things from him I didn't want. Then one day he wasn't there anymore.

I remember daydreams of dying and how unhappy everybody would be.

I remember that life was just as serious then as it is now.

I remember a girl in school one day who, just out of the blue, went into a long spiel all about how difficult it was to wash her brother's pants because he didn't wear underwear.

I remember saying "thank you" in reply to "thank you" and then the other person doesn't know what to say.

I remember that I never cried in front of other people.

I remember seeing colors and designs by closing my eyes very tightly. 

I remember monkeys who did modern paintings and won prizes.

I remember "I like to be able to tell what things are."

Joe Brainard (1942-1994). I Remember. New York City: Granary Books, 2001.