Parting ways
Never learned the art
of saying goodbye
so you just sat watching
trying not to whine
as your friends leave
one after another,
giving their reasons (
it's late
I've got work tomorrow,
I've got another date
with another group
of friends. Baby's waiting
for me
) and not liking any
of it; reluctantly,
you accept
that it's okay
sad smile
see you next time
when
if
and smile at your shared vision
of another gathering
everyone means to make true
if time allows; still
in the moment,
when
gently interupted
by a waiter asking
if you would like
another cup of tea,
you realise, you
really
must be going too.
***
This poem was in part provoked by Sxethang's photo "Plenty of Seats".
Submitted for Thursday Poets Rally Week 47.
31 comments:
amazing imagery...
bless you.
keep it up.
all things pass...but this poem left a fragrant memory
A place we've all been. things we've heard. very nice!
its so very sad. and unfortunately so true for many.
Jingle, zenmirror, huckleberry and lunawitch -- thanks for coming by and leaving your thoughts and comments.
I truly dread the chain of awkward goodbyes after a gathering -- it's "let's keep in touch, we must do this every year", I think by now everyone knows it usually isn't possible. :D
Yeah, goodbyes are not easy. This was terrific.
Love your poem about parting. I don't like parting also, but life calls us back. Good job!
The goodbye to end all goodbyes. This swelled and covered so much. Well done.
Love your poem Raven.. Here is my Rally Post, ? will my life be colourful ?
Someone is Special
impressive write. i think most readers can relate to this. :)
i like the shape of this poem, especially the use of the line breaks & white spaces, like the awkward moments when we are searching for words during a ...parting. and i like the imagery you have painted for this poem.
thingy, myjoysandhealing, kshawnedgar:
Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate them and am glad that you all can relate to this poem. :)
Someone is Special: Thanks, and i've visited your page too. Hope everything turns out well for you and your father.
dsnake: Thanks. Your feedback means a lot to me. (I see that you have written something! *rush to read*)
Very gentle and realistic... Nice work!
Ahh.. seeing old friends.. Lovely Write.
Beautiful, wonderful flow: that irresistible urge to turn back the hourglass, the moment when all laughter ceases because everyone remembers the time, the great departure--one chink and the dam bursts, smile to the world lest they know you're hurt.
Hosting a party tomorrow and you just described my worst nightmares for it (apart from all the people who have already said they're not coming)... *sigh* But I suppose that means your words managed to move me! *smile* Well put!
Very sad and something I can certainly relate with, I've lost a lot of friends
Magdalena and jennirey: thanks for your comments. :)
wordcoaster: yes that is how it is. Some poeple can't wait to go though! lol Thanks for your thoughts.
ccchampagne: Thank you, and good luck on your party, it's a challenge to host a successful one.
mindlovemisery: sometimes i think reunions remind us of losts too.
Sad, true, beautifully written
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Sherrie (Sober on the Way to Sane - I wish you good journey.)
@all:
Oh btw, if somehow I missed out visiting your blog in return, give me a nudge. Post your link. :)
nice thoughts on saying good bye. Life is short and ephemeral and we can make it happy by not being too attached and learning to part with a smile:)
Good advice, Sajeev. I try to live the moment especially when I'm with friends, so I can have it in my mind forever and not be sorry that I wasted it in any way when it is passed. Thanks for visiting and leaving your thoughts. :)
You have really captured the feeling of the quality of social relationships in our time-- I'm not sure how old this phenomenon is, or how it came to be that excuses more or less so often replace actual goodbyes, creating a feeling of the time spend with friends or loved ones to somehow be a distraction from the more important aspects of life. It is really weird how we can say to people, "I'm sure you have to go, I understand," which gets us somehow out of having to be the bad guy putting an end to our time with the other person/s.
The image of the waiter asking if you want another cup of tea is a great way to introduce this ironic twist on such situations.
Thanks for this poem, Ravenblack.
Thank you for thoughts on my poem. :)
Very interesting point on that phenomenon of excuses and leeways over just saying goodbye.
I don't know what that is either exactly. :D
Very powerful imagery. Loved the way your words did not feel the need to sit rigidly to a margin, the flowed across the page, caring little for margins or lines. Really enjoyed it.
The Lonely Recluse.
Thank you, lonelyrecluse. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Evokes unfinished business in such a creative and poetic way!
Cindy, glad to see you again. Yes, some left too early and I do feel like we were not done yet.
Ravenblack ... this is lovely with a gentle pace of movement and thoughtfulness running throughout your words. I enjoyed it!
Thanks Old Raven. :) I'm glad you liked it.
another superb write...love your voice...glad you dropped in today...
It was a pleasure. And thanks. :)
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