leaving home

why
must we say goodbye
my heart was not made for this
my heart is not
ready-or-not, time's up.
pack up.
backpack on and you're gone
fly away
you can't stay
for this place you've called home
was never the destination
but a stop along the way
and whanau doesn't say goodbye
for there's always a next time.
the book isn't closing,
but this chapter is gone
so cherish the moment
for moments don't last long
and, as they say, time flies
joy-filled smiles become tear-filled eyes
and at the end of every long hello
is a bitter, short
goodbye