Too Many Goodbyes Poem by Melanie Walendowsky Baker

The earth that supports
the path where I tread.
The smiles and the laughter
and you in my head.

The moments gone by,
the loss and the pain.
The power I have,
and the strength I regain.

I still hold the fear
so close to my heart,
and I am still quite aware
of what it imparts.

But to reason is foolish,
and not what I need.
There are holes in my heart
that I need to feed.

I know I can't blame you
for what you don't know,
but one thing is certain:
you shouldnt've let me go.

The smiles and the laughter
were never quite there.
I wanted you near me,
I wanted you to care.

I say to myself that
you're the only one.
But how true is that,
after all that wasn't done?

I carry this image
of your heart in mine.
I long for you, I weep
I get angry and pine.

Your image was false,
an imprint of lies.
I never quite knew you;
too many goodbyes.

There's still one more left,
that I couldn't tell.
But I have all my strength now,
and I bid you farewell.

(London,14 May,2003)