Farewell

Poetry, , 36 Comments

It is Day 10 of Writing 101 Poetry Course. The Prompt is Farewell by… yours truly, Lucile de Godoy.

Ben Huberman, WP editor and host of the Poetry Course, has asked 10 alumnae and alumni of Writing 201: Poetry to come up with themes to inspire brand new poems for this new course.  I am delighted and honored to be one of them. I’m deeply grateful to Ben for the trust, and for this unforgettable opportunity to share my ideas and photo, which I will always treasure. Heartfelt thanks.

Why Farewell?   Here is what I proposed to the course participants:

The image above was shot during a ferry departure from an island in the north of Holland. It was a déjà-vu moment that took me back to airports, train stations, ports, and even to the famous goodbye scene in Casablanca.

This young man waving to someone on the foggy shore evoked a common emotion: that misty, deep, and painful moment of separation, when all we have left are the last words, the last hug, the last kiss… Bodies are physically untied but nonetheless connect through sight, with the eyes refusing to be set apart.

Write a poem about a farewell today: perhaps this image may bring back memories of loved ones who passed, or revive memories of those that departed from our lives. Or you could focus on the more mundane, but still powerful moments of your daily goodbye rituals, whether it’s a friend, partner, or member of your family.

I also had the pleasure to once more join the poetry course.  So, here is my interpretation.

I wrote about a beloved friend who decided to depart from this life. I still remember the last day we spent with him; a day of celebrations, and unbeknownst to me, closing with the last goodbye.

 Farewell

— Dedicated to my late friend Jeremy B. 

 

Sailing in the Hong Kong bay

Friends celebrating his life

Plastering an old pain

Healing ingrained emptiness

Coating love in his heart’s walls

Watering a dehydrated soul

Spreading friendship seeds

That never germinated

His innocent and deep sight

Intensely searched for anchors

And a safe shore to mourn

A child that never died in him

A man that was never a child

Jump-started in life’s jungle

Birthmarks imprinted as scars

Deeply rooted stingy pain

Rejection, dejection, no affection

Reminders of a senseless life

Controlled by tyrant emotions

Imposing its will on him

Living off what never was

Angst bubbling in his veins

Draining his light and will

Until there was no more

Eyes locked. Casablanca.

Peace.

So long my friend

I decided to also add this post to WP Photo Challenge: Gathering

Posted by

Sharing my views and experiences with words and photos - taken with diverse angles - influenced by the multicultural countries I have lived and worked. I studied Psychology and have an MBA. After working for corporates, I became an entrepreneur and consultant. Cycling, hiking, windsurfing, cooking, reading, yoga, writing and photographing, are no longer just hobbies listed in a resume.

36 thoughts on “Farewell”

  6. This was a deeply painful poem to read, and beautifully written, too!
    I’m so sorry about your friend — and glad also that he had you and some others like you to help him while he was here.

    These lines tugged at my heart:
    “Plastering an old pain
    Healing ingrained emptiness
    Coating love in his heart’s walls
    Watering a dehydrated soul
    Spreading friendship seeds
    That never germinated …”

    And there are many powerful, moving lines throughout the poem!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I agree with you these are my favorite lines, too. For me, because there is a glimmer love, kindness and comfort from a friend.

      “Plastering an old pain
      Healing ingrained emptiness
      Coating love in his heart’s walls
      Watering a dehydrated soul
      Spreading friendship seeds
      That never germinated …”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Lucile, my jaw has once again dropped onto the keyboard! Your photos and poetry go wonderfully well together and what a honor to be chosen to come up with a prompt for poetry 101. I seriously love your photo and indeed your poem illustrates the the emotions depicted in that photo. Beautifully done and well-deserved, my friend!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Terri, my dearest friend, it was a honor for this amateur to be selected amongst so many accomplished poets. It gave me a ‘hint’ that I should dedicate time to writing more than I have done lately. I must listen more to comments like yours and believe in this newly found love to write poetry. The marriage with photos has been a two way process of inspiration. Heartfelt thanks for supporting my endeavors.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Pingback: farewell | andy townend

  19. A wonderful photo, Lucile, and beautiful words. A fine and poignant farewell.
    And congratulations on being selected to inspire future WordPress course participants!
    Happy holidays!

    Like

    Reply
  21. Pingback: WPC: Gathering (Group Shot) | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?

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