The Longest Goodbye

I was finally able to write this piece after living through 7 years of guilt.

You sat there watching me

As I rushed around the house

Tossing things into boxes

With a look on your face...

"uh oh... mom's being silly again"

A quick phone call or two

None being the right one

No "don't do it - don't go - you'll be sorry"

 

Would it have mattered?

Would I have listened by then?

 

You watched the car pull up

A man takes the boxes

Frozen tears fall from the sky

Blending with my own.

I bend down to hug and kiss you

"Be a good girl - Mommy loves you"

And the car takes me away.

 

How long did you sit

Watching out the window

For my return

Before you realized

I wasn't coming back?

What went through your mind?

 

But... I did come back after 4 months

Only for awhile.

Seeing you realize

It was me.

Bending down so you could smother me

With kisses all over my face.

Funny how, out of everyone

You were the happiest to see me.

 

Then I was gone again.

But I did come back...

And you were gone.

Never again would I see you

Except in my dreams.

 

I'm sorry.

 

 

Author's Note

As if it wasn't hard enough writing this in Aug '07... it was almost as hard re-typing it now... amazing how the tears can flow.

Reviews

[Fantasyfairy]

I have been bought to tears! If you knew me, then you would know that isn't something that happens often. Such a beautiful poem. I thought at first it was about a child, then I got to the end and discovered it was a baby still, just not a human one. Animals are the hardest to leave behind because there is no way of ever explaining why you have to leave them, and that you will not be back for a while. Such a shame you had to lose her completely. They love with such devotion, unconditional love, and they never lie or pretend to like you when they don't. XX

[Ricohard]

Whoa. Highly emotionally. The emotion literally transfers through and touches the reader. Brilliant job.
"Frozen tears fall from the sky
Blending with my own."
I really enjoyed that part.

[Ruby Moon]

its funny how our babies are the ones who always forgive us and love us unconditionally
(except for my cat *teasing him foundly* )

"How long did you sit
Watching out the window
For my return
Before you realized
I wasn't coming back?
What went through your mind?"
this verse is lovely... and it captures them so well

there is nothing i can say about it that hasn't been said before...
but just wanted to point out this little spelling error (i think)
"Bending dow[n] so you could smother me"

[OrAnGe SmArTiEs]

Amazing! At first I thought it was about a child but the picture made me think, I love this! I love animals and I love the fact its about one rather than children!
This one stole my heart, even though your reasons were unclear to me your regrets weren't. One of my favourites!

[Lydia Shutter]

Touching, heartfelt emotions. How sad this is! Lydia

[T. L. O'Neal]

This was a sad piece, it must of been hard for you to leave like that. But sometimes you have to do things that will hurt someone or something. There is never any easy anwsers. T

[Lyonezz On Point]

PoeticElf,

I was frozen in time for a moment when I read this piece. Somehow I knew the recipient of your love. My children loved animals in this same manner and your description......

"How long did you sit
Watching out the window
For my return
Before you realized
I wasn't coming back?
What went thru your mind? "

gave me a clue. Although I pretended not to not to be as involved with our dog (Midnite) as my children it was only a facade. Secretly we had a bond that only the two of could understand. No one,.... like you said, except for my babies looked out the window for my return and no greeted me like they missed me so much like our Midnite. This is a moving, touching piece. I couldn't begin to think about what went through his mind when I did not come back. Great write , wonderful title.

One Love
Lioness

[TAYLOR]

i was touched by this beautiful poem ...for i come home everyday and open the door in hopes that my black lab meets me at the door..she is old now and has recently been losing a little...this brought a tear to my eyes...beautifully written...Taylor

[SM Davis]

This gave me chill bumps! I find myself speechless. This was a great poem, heartfelt and smooth. The images you painted were crisp. thank you for sharing.

[Celtic Cat]

What's really odd, is the tears didn't start flowing till I saw the dog pic! Wow, I don't know what exactly that says about me, becuase while reading I was thinking of a child. I have more compassion for animals, apparently! That's gotta be wrong.
This is a great piece. I liked the title, because it makes me feel better about getting over things at my own pace. Thanks for sharing this.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

WOW. You broke my heart there. I read this thinking it was to a person, but for some twisted reason, I was more moved when I scrolled down and saw the photo. I guess I believe that dogs love us more than people know how and I felt for the dog.

The beauty of dogs is that I'm sure he/she never held a grudge. He/she always believed that you just stepped out for a moment and would be right back and you'd play together.