Anamnesis refers to recollection or reminiscence. It derives from Plato’s psychological theory that learning is actually a rediscovering of knowledge within us from past incarnations.
A portion of a poem by Lisel Mueller is the inspiration behind the Anamnesis series.
“Why we tell stories”
Because we used to have leaves
and on damp days
our muscles feel a tug,
painful now, from when roots
pulled us into the ground
and because our children believe
they can fly, an instinct retained
from when the bones in our arms
were shaped like zithers and broke
neatly under their feathers
and because before we had lungs
we knew how far it was to the bottom
as we floated open-eyed
like painted scarves through the scenery
of dreams, and because we awakened
and learned to speak.