Poem for Claire by Holly Schwarztol

Written for me November 19, 2006 in Miami when I left for Seattle.

When did I say
It would ever be okay
For you to leave?

How do we let go
Of all the years
And all we’ve known

From bliss to
Heartache and back again
We’ve seen it all

Though I know
We’ll always be close
I wanted you to stay

And remain where I am
For all the coming years
Of dinners and lunches

And knowing you’d be
Right where I could
Find you?

Fate robbed you of your sight
And now steals you from mine
And I’m just not ready

For you to move clear
Across this vast country
To another world

And I do know
That you had little choice
And that ultimately this

Will most likely be
A good move for you
And maybe I’ll learn




To accept that you
Just don’t live here anymore
But I’m not there yet

I want to hold onto you
And keep you from going
And keep you near

Is this a poem?
Or something else?
Does it convey

The sense of loss
And deep sadness
I am feeling?

In this week of Thanksgiving
As you fly away
Carrying my heart