Sayōnara

An everlasting hug

Conceals the farewell

We don't want to pronounce

And fight relentlessly against

Hourglasses, clocks and calendars.

But tomorrow I am doomed

To leave the home islands*

And our delicate, new-born love

Will be easy prey to the sorrows

Of Distance.

In her sweet kisses I now taste

A fierce note of melancholy

And our bodies being closed in a hug,

Scorning Distance for some minutes,

I hear her heartbeat singing a sad tune.

Defeated, owning but this very moment,

My tears rejoin hers as we cry

The end that should not arrive

And remember the beginning of what

Could have been a happy story.

*Home islands = Japan

Author's Note

A poem for someone special I met in Japan. Unfortunately Distance had the upper hand.
This is the story of our last good-bye.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is literally dripping with sadness! The defining feature is how lyrical are your word choices & creatively-crafted phrases. I've never seen anyone write about "goodbye" as powerfully as this (and millions of people write about it). The title gives it a sweet retro feel & the impending doom of a long-distance relationship is all that fills the reader at the end. Excellent writing! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[外人 (Gaijin)]

Thank you very much for such a kind comment ! I'm so flattered right now :D !! Unfortunately, we didn't even get the long-distance relationship. She was too afraid it wouldn't work. I wanted it but as we say, "it takes two to tango" ! :(

[lightsong]

I could feel the personal touch through Your words profoundly, the speciality in each sentence and the emotions they conveyed to us, yes, sadness drips from Your poem, and I'm sorry You went through this... at least can I say that You are very lucky that You've visited Japan :)

[Inda]

This is a great piece, i recently had a job that kept me away from home a lot and i found myself missing home and my significant other a lot so this resonated with that. good stuff!

[SUGATA M]

I wish the special person saw your creation. It is touching the heart in a mind-blowing way.

[Coyote Poetry]

No goodbye are good one my friend.
"And remember the beginning of what
Could have been a happy story."
I understand the poem. I left a girl in Germany in 1980. Today I would of found a way for us to stay together. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Roe]

This poem was filled with emotion and I really enjoyed reading this. I also like that you told us at the end that the home islands was Japan.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A most poignant piece that gathers feelings to ones chest, perfection, well done, good read.

[Leslie Philibert]

I really like this, well balanced, well written, fine work from an excellent poet.