Departures
She is hiding
just behind the front door,
peeking through the window panel:
pretending she is not watching him go,
pretending her heart is not in her throat
longing to fly out the door
and ride next to him on his journey.
and cheerfully tosses his bag into the car,
never thinking to look back.
to work and to classes
negotiating highways
full of impatient commuters
who do not pause to consider
that his anonymous blue car
holds someone’s precious child.
He is seventeen,
newly independent and confident.
After weeks of being a working man
he puts the car in gear
without a worry on his mind.
just behind the front door
watching him leave
and remembers
letting go of a small hand
to let the child run ahead.
Tracy Meisky is a poet, writer, singer, songwriter and all-around boat rocker from way back. Feel free to look around, but if you break it, you bought it.