O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

My Poem “When to Say Goodbye” is Up at Oxidant Engine.

Posted on May 3, 2017 by robert okaji

My poem “When to Say Goodbye,” which was originally written during the August 2015 Tupelo Press 30-30 Challenge, is up at Oxidant Engine.

18 thoughts on “My Poem “When to Say Goodbye” is Up at Oxidant Engine.”

Jazz Jaeschke on May 2, 2017 at 7:39 am said:

I find there is no final goodbye … at odd moments a sense of sudden departure returns, demanding another goodbye. Great poem.

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- robert okaji on May 2, 2017 at 10:56 am said:
  
  The goodbyes never end…
  
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Leigh W. Smith on May 2, 2017 at 8:45 am said:

Losing a beloved family member, in this case a dog, is extraordinarily difficult. I think about our dog, Sherman, just about every day and feel guilty about what I could/should have done to improve his life while he was with us and whether letting him go [and at that time, in that way] was the right thing to do. The turtle easing away at the end is a brilliant metaphor and provides solace to me, too (and for that, thank you very much!). Gorgeous, gorgeous poem, Bob.

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- robert okaji on May 2, 2017 at 11:07 am said:
  
  Thanks, as always, Leigh. Letting go is always difficult.
  
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cawolfe on May 2, 2017 at 9:03 am said:

I do love poems that make me cry, yet end in transcendence. Gracias, Roberto. CAW

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- robert okaji on May 2, 2017 at 11:08 am said:
  
  Thanks, Christine. I’m looking forward to your daily offerings this month!
  
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rivrvlogr on May 2, 2017 at 11:01 am said:

Yet it does, and nothing can prepare you.
Well done, and congratulations on the feature, Bob.

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- robert okaji on May 2, 2017 at 11:09 am said:
  
  Thanks, Ken!
  
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memadtwo on May 3, 2017 at 6:40 am said:

Life breaks your heart over and over. As we move towards completing our own circles, sending out our own ripples. (K)

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 2:15 pm said:
  
  It does indeed, Kerfe.
  
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doubtpuppet on May 3, 2017 at 10:35 am said:

Nice

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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derrickjknight on May 3, 2017 at 10:52 am said:

A lovely poem with the solace of a superb ending

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  You’re very kind, Derrick. Thank you.
  
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PinkFloyd on May 3, 2017 at 12:15 pm said:

I would like to use the title …

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  Feel free to use it.
  
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Jilanne Hoffmann on May 4, 2017 at 9:24 pm said:

Yes, that was one of your poems that broke my heart. It has never recovered, but then, does it really want to?

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- robert okaji on May 4, 2017 at 9:47 pm said:
  
  Oh, Jilanne, you have made my evening! And my heart seems to stay in a state of constant disrepair…
  
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