I Remember Quotes

“I remember finding myself in situations I all of a sudden feel (remember) I've been in before: a "repeat" life flash.

I remember those times of not knowing if you feel really happy or really sad. (Wet eyes and a high heart.)

I remember, in crowds--total isolation!

I remember, at parties--naked!

I remember body realizations about how fragile we (life) really are (is).

I remember trying to figure things out--(life)--trying to get it all down to something basic--and ending up with nothing. Except a dizzy head.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember the only time I ever saw my mother cry. I was eating apricot pie.
I remember how much I used to stutter.
I remember the first time I saw television. Lucille Ball was taking ballet lessons.
I remember Aunt Cleora who lived in Hollywood. Every year for Christmas she sent my brother and me a joint present of one book.
I remember a very poor boy who had to wear his sister's blouse to school.
I remember shower curtains with angel fish on them.
I remember very old people when I was very young. Their houses smelled funny.
I remember daydreams of being a singer all alone on a big stage with no scenery, just one spotlight on me, singing my heart out, and moving my audience to total tears of love and affection.
I remember waking up somewhere once and there was a horse staring me in the face.
I remember saying "thank you" in reply to "thank you" and then the other person doesn't know what to say.
I remember how embarrassed I was when other children cried.
I remember one very hot summer day I put ice cubes in my aquarium and all the fish died.
I remember not understanding why people on the other side of the world didn't fall off.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember how much rock and roll music can hurt. It can be so free and sexy when you are not.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember when "atheist" was a scary word.

I remember little suits, on little boys, with no lapels.

I remember dining room table leaves.

I remember a brief period of "bad breath" concern: the product of a health class at school.

I remember that "most bad breath is caused by germs."

I remember that germs are everywhere!

I remember trying to visualize germs (physically) as they crawl around all over everything.

I remember that my vision of germs pretty much resembled normal insects, only much smaller, of course.

I remember sneezing into my hand, out in public, and then the problem of what to "do" with it.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember Greyhound busses at night.
I remember wondering what the bus driver is thinking about.
I remember empty towns. Green tinted windows. And neon signs just as they go off.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember a little girl who had a white rabbit coat and hat and muff. Actually, I don't remember the little girl. I remember the coat and the hat and the muff.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember fantasies of finding notes in old bottles washed ashore.

I remember magic carpets and giant "genies" and trying to figure out what my three wishes would be.

I remember not understanding why Cinderella didn't just pack up and leave, if thins were really all that bad.

I remember getting a car door slammed on my finger once, and how long it took for the pain to come.

I remember wondering if goats really do eat tin cans.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember

“I remember certain group gatherings that are hard to get up and leave from.

I remember alligators and quicksand in jungle movies. (Pretty scary.)

I remember opening jars that nobody else could open.

I remember making home-made ice cream.

I remember that I liked store-bought ice cream better.

I remember hospital supply story windows.

I remember stories of what hot dogs are made of.

I remember Davy Crockett hats. And Davy Crockett just about everything else.”
― Joe Brainard, I Remember