A poem of farewell

What is left to say?

All the large words
have been spoken.

I’d take one of the
smallest words, like love,
wrap it in a warm breath,
tie it in a knot of flax,
and leave it, nonchalantly
on your papers.

A small green leaf
among the river stones.

Don’t throw it out
by accident, or crush it.
Put it in your pocket
where its touch
might sometimes
warm your fingers.

-- Adrienne Jansen (1947- ) New Zealand teacher, editor, and poet