0 Goodbye

I found myself writing this a thousand times, Always changing the lines Sucking in my breath As if it could take back the words that left my lips Or change the direction of the way the clock ticks You became the wind that swept me off my feet And I have no sense of balance So of course I fell. And it's was beyond imaginable not to, Because I bet it's in your eyes where stars escape into. Written in a poet's voice Cannot speak through pen and paper How much a heart can hold. We carry rocks in our backpacks as we climb up mountains Holding ourselves down like anchors Drowning ourselves out at sea. Despite the bruises of the past, You helped to heal me with bandages and glue; We walked across the globe Observing the world under a magnifying glass To the beauty most do not see; Even the beauty in the mirror doesn't show. You valued me in ways I never imagined before. I poured all of my love and self out to you, And instead of stealing my heart and running away, You handed some back saying, "Don't forget to love yourself, too. I can so easily fade out And be caught in the wind and fly off with every bit of you. Do not give me all the love you obtain and leave yourself with none." Your words engraved into the cores of my fears, Repeating it like a broken record, And allowed me to remind myself of my own importance. Because life is not the sores on our feet or hands Nor scars that lie deep inside But instead more fonder memories you create and encounter throughout this crazy ride Discovering untouched land of peace and serenity within yourself. And when I was being crushed by the weight of the world, You left me knowing I didn't have to carry it all by myself, Holding my hand tightly as you help lift it up. So caught in the moment, I didn't see the seasons changing, And how the breeze of fall tingled through your wings. I know I cannot keep you stuck here like this Because of the curiosity that runs through your veins. I know you must go and I set you free. I wish I could follow but the clock is still ticking And there is still so much for me to see. So instead of a farewell kiss, I give you this. A set of words to always remember me by. Although no twenty-six combination will do just right. Our paths intertwined but there is a crossroad before us now, With different directions implanted in our shoes. You have shown and reunited me with my best side And what a shame the time slipped through our fingers like sand. How I'd hate to speak of goodbye, But it's the only thing left to say. Do not worry about me; I have seen the moonless night and still made it back home alright. I know you did not leave me with nothing. I swear I saw a shooting star in the reflection of my eyes And I hope maybe we will meet again someday. But until then, this is goodbye Because neither of us can stay. --Andi C., 16