The Goodbye

One step, two step, three.

Three steps away, yet thousands more to tread.

Walking towards unfamiliar places,

Places where the mountains meet the prairie,

Where the streets are full of strangers,

Places where music grows and swells within your soul,

Where your dreams become reality,

Yet places I cannot follow.

The somber ride to the airport,

Your luggage packed into the already cramped car

Filled with everything left unsaid

Filled with the knowledge of what lies ahead.

The final stop outside the swinging doors,

Pausing, wanting to make the moment last longer

As so many lives enter and exit the way to your future.

I can’t bring myself to say the words I long to say.

You sigh, long and deep,

Open the car door,

Collect your luggage,

Turn to say goodbye,

Saying the words we’ve rehearsed,

“I’ll see you in four months.”

“Of course we’ll keep in touch”

“I love you so much.”

My arms wrap around you,

Trying to cram a lifetime into a moment.

Knowing how futile my efforts are,

To delay the final goodbye.

But I have to let go.

One step, two step, three.

The words I long to say,

Arriving too late to make a difference.

I watch you approach the doors,

One hand reaching out,

Disappearing into the crowd