I set sail without you
Into seas of rebellion
Waving white flags
At pilfering pirates
On quests for
Golden hearts
There was no good-bye
It was assumed that
You were you and
I was I
The sea swelled and took you
And I cursed not the wind
But your timing as I was
Left pining for words
Tossed and turned
Lost and churned
Into the brine
There was no good-bye
It was assumed that
You were you and
I was I
Sharing this with Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub, in response to Abhra’s poetic prompt, “Unintended Farewells”.
mishunderstood 
Okay, so this poem just nails the reader to the wall! Wow and wow!
Thanks, jilly. I think I’m glad it had that effect…
I love the refrain and most importantly, what I think and heard, is the shift of perspective, from a young daughter, to one grieving the loss of a parent ~
A beautiful and moving share Mish and one that I can relate to ~
Thank you Grace for that comment. The two perspectives were not far apart in time…
It was assumed that
You were you and
I was I
Love that…. and then suddenly it is too late… can connect with that!
I would love to know the story behind this – it resonates with me.
It speaks of a troubled relationship between father and daughter, unintended goodbyes and then the father’s passing.
Oh those things that were assumed.. And we fight and fight, and in the end it’s empty. Sad so sad.
Soulful and so true, too often.
Very successful. Lovely flow and rhythm to this – ‘the you and I was I’ device works brilliantly too…
Thank you, Scott. Much appreciated.
The refrain is beautiful. Having a daughter, with children of her own and her professional life, this resonates with me. The photo reminds me that she is still there, this daughter of min, and I can see her moving through her life. We give birth, we nurture, and then we let go. Beautifully penned.
Yes, those relationships are precious. Hold on to every moment.
This really hits the gut. Hard. Congrats.
Thanks, Nan.
This one really pulls at the heartstrings ❤
Beautifully penned (as always)
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Thank you, Sanaa!
Insightful post describing angst of unintended (and unresolved) farewell… A powerful write.
Thanks, lynn.
the refrain is like the continuous breaking of waves on the shore of grief. Lovely write, but so sad.
Wow, I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for your comments, Bryan. 🙂
Ah, ah, I can see that I will soon be reaching that age too with my sons, so this spoke to me… and then I realised it could have a deeper, more sinister meaning… Certainly makes you stop and do a double-take and re-read.
The more personal my poems are, the more cryptic they tend to be, although that is not my intention. This was written about a rocky relationship with my father followed by his passing.
Thanks so much for dropping in, MarinaSofia! So nice to “see” you. 🙂
Love this poetic conversation, the unneeded goodbye because the souls involved knew each other well enough to understand what the other would say. There is a bitter-sweetness to the tone–farewells, even the ones are not said–take bits of heart with them. ♥
A very insightful comment, Magaly… very accurate to the truth behind the poem.
Can feel the lump, in my throat, as I finish reading, and realize, how lucky, I was, to be able to say, “good-bye” and part with my dad, on peaceful terms. Do hope, your anger has been replaced by love and understand, as time passes.
It has, therisa, thank you. I did have one hour with my dad before he died. Communication wasn’t easy but looking back I think I know what he felt and thought. I know he loved me. So glad you had peace with your dad in the end. Thanks for your comment.
My mother was lost before we had the chance to reconcile… this poignant poem really hits home with me. Really well written.
Thank you, Barry. I’m so sorry. I like to believe that deep down, the ones that loved us, know we loved them too despite the differences.
This poem hits hard with me. I had a last few minutes with my father and today, I wish it could have been more.