DEPARTURES

Your departures are a mixed bag.

I feel saddened

lonely, uninspired in your absence

so I can't possibly enjoy them

but your departure:

the frown, the wink

the hug and kiss

as farewell...

they all offer me more joy

than I can say

even as I try to explain it

- which I never would to you

for fear that you might

deny me my goodbye

and leave

without granting

any of your endurable gifts.