A Scatter of Goodbyes

A Poem

Photo by Jordan Steranka on Unsplash

goodbye, old shelter,
you kept me from the cold
and were the refuge
others needed too —
then and now.

goodbye, fellow traveler,
and thank you for telling me
your stories — the good and the bad —
while I wondered just how
I could be as strong as you.

goodbye, lost loves,
you taught me enough
about heartbreak for eons —
and I’ll never forget
the blissful pain of it all.

goodbye, sweet earth,
for providing the way
even when we hurt you,
and I hope I’ll still tell tales
of all your great abundance.

goodbye, dear mother,
and I’ll try to sing to you
across the ether,
keeping you alive
in the threads of forever.

goodbye, my father —
how I wished you could see
my magic in motion,
but you didn’t pay attention
and now it’s too late.