The same age as me when I left, no older,
you got in a stranger’s car with a new start
in sight, a friend’s arm around your shoulder,
steering you towards a life of which I was no part.
The rear view was blocked, I moved a little closer
to stand on the pavement, felt the drop of my heart
as I realised your childhood was already over
and the labyrinth of womanhood was about to start.
Kim M. Russell, 7th October 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United Weekly Scribblings #40: Walking Away
Rosemary is back this Wednesday with a poignant poem by Cecil Day-Lewis, which I love. She says if she was still doing Wild Fridays, she would have to create a new category: Heartbreakers.
Today we are writing about ‘walking away’. Rosemary says it need not be a heartbreaker; we might write about a walking away that is triumphant, joyful, or a case of doing the right thing. We might be watching someone else walk away, or perhaps we are doing the walking in a new poem, or a piece of prose, fiction or non-fiction, with a maximum of 369 words (excluding title).
writing in north norfolk 
‘the labyrinth of womanhood’ – you got that spot on, Kim! I’m sure my heart will be broken when my boys leave, too.
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Thank you, Ingrid. It was hard, but I had done it myself and understood why she needed to go.
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Can’t imagine. Well, I CAN imagine, but only imagine; if I had to live it, I’m not sure I could stand it, not sure I could let her go.
Great work, kr.
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Now she’s a mother herself. Hopefully, when the pandemic is over, we can start to think about moving closer to them.
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My kids are at around that age. I know the pandemic means I get to hold on to Darling Eldest for a few moments more. But eventually this will end and both Eldest and Youngest will be off starting new adventures. I can feel my heart ache a bit thinking about it.
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It was a long time ago but it feels like yesterday.
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I found this very moving…I know this happens to everyone but it is a sort of sorrowful mile stone in a life…People have different mechanisms of coping and . I am always amazed how anyone gets through anything.Enjoyed this one.
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Thank you, Rall.
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A poignant moment indeed!
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Thank you, Rosemary!
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Your poem is poignant, sweet, sad in a good way … one of the most enjoyable and relatable I have read.
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Thank you so much, Helen.
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I remember well the day my oldest son left. It was the day after he turned 18! He grew up so fast. It was easier since I had two little ones still left. I believe I wrote in his baby book, “Things will never be the same.” No, they weren’t, but they weren’t bad, and that was quite a dramatic thing to think! Children should move away! Maybe not from California to Massachusetts though!
Your poem brought the memory of that day back, with my mother at the train station, her turning and leaving abruptly with tears, saying she’d never see him again. She did, but only a few times.
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Always tough and we do get over it.😊
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This is well wtitten, childhood gear shifting. The same in calandar age but she was ahead in body age. That’s a tough time for teenagers. (When the other’s known it is easily faked and/or prompted. Been there.)
..
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Thank you, Jim.
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Mine both spent a lot of time coming and going, so it was not abrupt. Still we all cried the first time each was dropped off for college in a different city. (K)
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❤
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This is very touching as our relationships with friends are so often ended when one of us marries.
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Love your interpretation, Robin!
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“the labyrinth of womanhood ” what a lovely phrase
Happy Wednesday Kim
Much💖love
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Thank you, Gillena, and happy Thursday!
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“labyrinth of womanhood” – I agree that labyrinth is the perfect word for how a life is experienced, I hope that life’s turn in the maze allows you to get closer when all this is through.
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Thank you, Joel,, it already has! She is a mother herself now.
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Oh, I’ve been there. It is such a tough place to be.
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Long time ago now, but will never forget it.
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Both walking away and setting forth. I like the “futureness” of this. That every opportunity is new. But looking back there is always you.
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Thank you, Lori
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