Second-Hand Goodbyes

A prayer circle forms the boundary of a heart
Still beating to the music.
"Quiet, quiet!" against the rising of the noise,
And at the end everyone's sobbing with the pulse.

Never have I ever seen a finale like this.
Drink.

"I have some hard news to swallow,"
As sour as an orange,
The last orange you'll eat for the season.
Changes made this late make me glad for a former regret.
I am not willing to change my fantasies.

Never have I ever been so glad for my remorse.
Drink.

Watching sailors pack for trips,
Trying to kiss them goodbye,
But I cant shake the taste of turgid storms ahead.
I'll wish for your safety as you will mine.
We can watch my goodbye handkerchief
Become my sail.

Never have I ever wished for weak breezes more.
Drink.

It all ends, it must.
Soon it'll be me.
Anxiety and grief pair up to meet
In a wicked embrace that
Clings to my throat.
A necklace so beautiful in blue.

Never have I ever thought I'd see you again.
Drink.

Reviews

[Confuser]

Emily: Oh my: Beautiful, so intriguing, such a POWERFUL visual. You always choose every single word so carefully. The first stanza set the stage for a dramatic image in these lines: A prayer circle forms the boundary of a heart Still beating to the music. Your writing is intense, but calm, intoxicating. I always read your poems aloud, awaiting the next line. And at the end, everyone's sobbing with the pulse: Wow. I see the ship, and know, already fearful thinking of what could happen on a journey, but then your phenomental descriptions and the repeating phases, that go deeper each time Never, Never, Never have I ever thought I'd see you again. I love, I'm not willing to change my fantasies, you surprised me again...I can go on, with so many wonderful thing, but will only say, the hankerchief, nice visual. You are so talented! I love it & thank you so much! Bravo, once again. Dale

[Emily]

Thank you so much! My friend once told me that my writing gives her an image of me standing on a cliff with my feelings in a box. :) You always praise me so wonderfully, it makes me so happy. Thank you, Dale!

[Confuser]

You're welcome, and Emily, OMG, I loved what your friend said, how poetic, what a compliment and it is true! So true, I adore your poems. You're so talented, and you've just begun.

[usman]

this is very powerful and emotional poem

[Emily]

Thank you, usman!

[AaronFreitas]

I love this one Emily... very powerful and I love the imagery in the poem. I love how you show how powerful it is by showing that everyone is sobbing at the end. Beautiful words expressed here... great work. Always a pleasure to read your words :)

[Emily]

Thank you, Aaron! :)

[R Smith]

wow! Emily that's so sad I'm feeling grief stricken, the goodbyes to those setting sail make me think of the days of tall ships crossing vast oceans to discover new lands and the long goodbye's of loved one's who may never be seen again I think in such circumstances to drink may be the best way to ease the aching inside, marvelous poem, very unusual as well, bravo:)

[Emily]

Thank you for your thoughtful words, Richard!