My goodbyes are
not graceful
As hard as I
try
I can't seem to
eliminate the awkward
It's probably
because I hate them
goodbyes
How can one be
skillful
at something one
does not want to do
Once again
I am trying too
hard
I want my send
offs
and leaves taken
to be full
of a love and
gratitude
that envelopes
you
like a
grandfathers bear hug
Lights your
way
like the beams of
a new friends smile
But instead
most of the
time
it feels like
desperate grasping
from the sudden
realization
of all I will miss
Stuttering,
stammering, searching
for words of
reassurance
that there will be
a next time
No matter how much
time
may come to pass
My heart
struggles
to figure out how
to say
I want you to know
that I want there
to be a next time
The littlest ones
with the fewest
words
seem to sum it up
better than any
appropriate
a grown up could
present
A gigantic
smile
and an unabashed
gaze
Arms and legs
wrapped tightly
around your
knee
Or little fists
gripping
face buried in
moms pant leg
refusal to even
acknowledge
the end of this
time
So be
forewarned
someday in the
future
I may follow their
lead
Don't be
surprised
if I sink to the
floor
Wrap my arms and
legs around your knee
bury my face in
your pant leg
shamelessly
Grin up at you
and cry
all at the same
time
I will do my
damnedest
to drape my love
around you
during the time we
are together
Give my best
grandfather bear hugs
and when it is the
presented time
take your face in
my hands
Because I must
To make sure you
can see
my yearning for
next time
before we have
even parted
I won't try to
hide the awkward
I won't try to
force the graceful
I won't try to
quiet the tenderhearted
I won't try to be
happy about goodbye
I won't try
I will just
be
So you will
know
that there will
always be
a next time
a next time