Goodbye Kiss

Finally we meet in the middle

with violet bonfire reflecting in our eyes

In this vicinity we speak without words

I toss the cord, awkward and heavy with bulk

Across the flames, his tired face is

hardened by captive time
Saying

"Do what you must"

On my hip sits the child,

staring into the fire,

eyes so similar to his

 "Are you okay with this?"

Fearless she is
with a faith known only to the young

"I trust you, Mom"

What bliss it must be

to not know pain

to not know the agony of regret

Together, she and I, hypnotized

As swirls of fuschia smoke

rise from the cord

Crackling slight resistance

dissolving from existence

And now I can see him through her eyes:

A stranger, unnecessary in our lives.

Her faith gives me the courage to trust myself

Her strength gives me permission to let go

TvE 2011