Goodbyes
have never been
my specialty.
I hate what they mean.
But even so,
this time is different.

I'm not angry,
sad, or hurt.
I'm so so very happy,
and I mean that.
I'm stronger than ever,
because you taught me how.
I'm just not strong enough,
to keep this going.
I have new life forming,
and that's my everything.
This time, it's different.

I smiled as I hunched
over the porcelain bowl
yesterday,
as I emptied
my breakfast and lunch.
I cried tears of joy
for the first time in a year.
This...