This is really quite a sad poem for me. At least you think it's all rainbows and butterflies (ha) but then it rolls into reality. What you have most likely will fade. And you'll both move on and make new memories, however there is typically a jaded feeling you have with someone new, because of your past.

I really like the choice between taxidermist and cremator. I also love the title! I just like this poem, alright? :P

Your title was interesting, made me think of Kodak moments, how they are so rare and one time thing. Then while reading your poems you speak of Paris and birthday parties. To me I feel as though Paris would be a one time thing for some, yet when it comes to birthday parties I feel as though these happen so often that they aren't as 'unique' of a moment. So it'd make sense why you're using a disposable camera for birthday parties, but for Paris, a place that is so beautiful and probably something I personally would think would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wouldn't think that's a memory you can recreate but maybe you would be able to since perhaps it's a place you visit often.

I loved the taxidermist and cremater part. It makes so much sense. You can decide to either take this moment and though disposable, polish it up and always have it as a memory in your mind, or 'cremate' the memories, figuratively of course, where you'd always have them with you. I feel like either way you never lose the memories. It's interesting you used these two terms because when you think of a camera you never would think of such since taxidermy deals with animals and cremater makes one think of cremating a dead person. Though cremating would make much sense since the pictures are 'dying' along with the camera. Hmm. This poem seems so simple and straightforward yet really makes you think at the same time. It feels a bit more complex than what meets the eye.

Well done! Truly an excellent poem.

[Judging comment from week of 4/15/13]:

I was held by the simplicity of this piece yet the thought when I read in between the lines, there's such a finality that is almost having a mournful tone, knowing these kodak moments and moments that should be captured or just one time, they die and one is left to move on.

I loved the closeness of that opening line, almost as if they are drawn and have been connected by photography, and making the most of single times where they can make the most of the most 'worthy' moments. So much is said in so few words, which makes me truly admire this piece for its character. There is a sense of adventure in this piece, from Paris to birthday parties, it makes me feel as if these two people, lovers perhaps, are on the go because they feel life is fleeting, so they travel sporadically. "the tickling of our hands" gave such sentiment, it made me smile, and that was a sweet moment to include.... it definitely brought out the sadness of the ending line, how the realization arrives that one person is without the other. Maybe there was separation because these moments can't last forever, that's reality.

One cannot always live in a 'dreamworld' where we can truly and fully make memories, sometimes we can't, sometimes we ruin it for ourselves or keep ourselves away from seeing different perspectives when we're caught up in "the moment". Incredible thought in this piece, and really clever with the "taxidermist and cremator". There is much more depth here I feel the author intends. Well done.