The Struggle for Goodbye

How many times can you say goodbye?

By my count, so far, approximately 1,216 times.

I’ve been keeping count daily, drawing

tally marks across the surface of the passage of days.

I’ve been stamping, ever so lightly, tiny goodbyes

all along your lips with each kiss

I leave behind. I’ve been leaving a trail of goodbyes

all along the curve of your spine and along the crook

of your smile. I’ve littered all our memories with

goodbyes. Sometimes I wonder if you see in my eyes or

my longing gaze, my struggle to say goodbye. And I

pray you don’t find the strength or the will

to say what I’ve been trying to say

since the day I first laid eyes on you.

Peace & Love,

Rosalind