Page 26 - 2022 Kaleidoscope Volume 8
P. 26

Farewell



                                            by Francisca Aguirre


                      GROUP C (Junior Middle 1 & Junior Middle 2) 2nd Runner-up
                                    Recited by Chan Li Ting (210239) 2 Zhi






                                            To say goodbye means so little.

                                            We said goodbye to childhood

                                             and it came after us like a dog

                                                   tracking our steps.

                     To say goodbye: to shut that obstinate door that refuses to remain closed,

                                        the persistent scar that oozes memory.

                                     To say goodbye: to say no; who achieves it?

                                            Whoever found the magic key?


                               Whoever found the point that slides us toward oblivion,

                                         the land that will extirpate the roots

                                     without remaining forever closed over them?

                                        To say goodbye: to turn one’s back; but

                                            who knows where the back is?

                         Who knows the way that does not die in the well-traveled shortcut.

                               To say goodbye: to yell because one is saying something

                                       and to cry because nothing is being said;

                                       because saying goodbye is never enough,


                                          because to say goodbye completely

                                  might be to find the spot where to turn one’s back,

                                        the spot to sink oneself into the final no

                                              while life slowly seeps out.



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