TheBanyanTree: Good-byes

[LLDeMerlè]

I
 
There’s a certain freedom 
in that big round number, 50
True, 
I am deep 
in the  season 
of good-byes.  
Good-bye to mother
good-bye to uncle.  
Stepmother.  
Grandmother.  
Favorite great-aunt 
Flossie 
and her sweet love
Albert, just days before her.  
 
For me
the season began early
even earlier 
for others.  
There will be 
many more good-byes 
until the ones sending 
me off 
to that new consciousness
without this body.
 
Good-bye  to smooth
freckleless skin 
and hair color
replacing itself 
with silky platinum.  
Good-bye to foods 
which don’t agree with me
anymore,  
Almonds. Apples.  Peaches.  
Cherries.    
 
Good-bye to 
a few too many glasses 
of wine, rollercoasters 
and rock concerts.  
Can’t sit for that long
stay up that late 
or stand in line 
that long 
for the bathroom.
 
 
 
II
 
These letters from college.  
aren’t my life.
These cards and trinkets represent
ancient drivel, most of which
I barely remember, if at all
 
The siblings back east 
who ignore me
chase me off or 
shut me out 
of their territorial lives 
are not my family
but a pale echo 
of what has lost 
it’s vibrancy
washed away 
in the torrents 
and tragedies 
of life, 
bleached white 
by the sun, left to languish 
in.  
We are scattered
far and away from 
in spirit 
and love
some of us 
enveloped 
in the love of others.
 
It’s a good day to begin
again.
Mark beforehand. “History,”
pack up what’s not worth homage
and put it out for pick-up.
 
 
 
LLDeMerle