When?
By Ali, age 16, North Carolina
When is it time to say goodbye,
To all the love I've known,
When is it time to end your pain,
And leave me all alone?
I've watched you on your good days when
I feel your strength renewed;
But shortly after little ups,
The down days then ensued.
We ride this roller coaster of
Emotions as we try,
To make it through another day,
And yet, I can't deny ...
That as I look into your face
On days that have been bad,
I see a look that beckons me
It's tired, and hurt, and sad.
The little spark I used to see
Behind those loving eyes,
Is growing ever clouded
By life's cruel inhumane side.
I try to see beyond the pain
You feel with every step;
And softly whisper to myself
This may get better yet.
If I can bear to watch you
Just another day or two;
I justify my reasons to
Ensure I cling to you.
For letting go is harder for
The person left behind;
It means that if I let you go,
I cannot turn back time.
Back to the days I long for now,
When you were full of life;
And every day held promise,
And our futures, clear and bright.
But now the lights are darkening ...
We take it daily now;
I cannot see our futures clear
Or think beyond this cloud.
I think the hardest part in this
Is never knowing why,
I have to be courageous
And I have to say goodbye.
For if I let myself admit
It's time to let you go;
I'd have to face reality
Without you ... but I know ...
That soon I have to face the
Final outcome that I dread,
And holding on will only serve
To hurt you in the end.
You've given such unselfish love
For all our time in life,
But if I hold too tightly,
You'll not move toward the light ...
On to a better life, where you
Can once again be free,
Of all the pain and discomfort
That holds you here to me.
So if I find the courage just to say
This last farewell,
I hope you will forgive me for
The time it took me; still ...
I'll hold with me, the memories
That in my heart remain,
Pray one day, down the road
... They'll lesson my own pain.
