Goodbyes Return

- Kathryn-Anne Burt

(in response)

***

Compose yourself, she tells herself

Abundant tears well in my eyes

Remove the story from the shelf

And read the story of goodbyes

Afraid to wake his daughter up

He crept and crept. Approached the door

Aroused from sound a cry turned-up.

My father turned back like before.

Retrieved me from my chamber bed

Instead, he placed me in his own

My chin was quiv’ring and tears shed

Alas, if only I had known.

I hadn’t seen him in a few.

But now I step outside the house

Without goodbyes to be pursued

So none awake without a doubt.