The Leaving of Liverpool
Breathe it in
this moment
this crisp autumn morning
warm air mixed with cold
smoke dissipating into the ether
for it will be a long while
before your heartbeat connects
with these streets once again.
(Though you don’t know this yet)
Inhale deeply
hold close the scent
of daffodils
and freshly cut grass in spring
ripping rose heads from their stems
running through alleyways
with your friends
on summer evenings
not a care in the world.
Hold in your mind
the face of your father
tears streaming down his face
hand wiping snot from his nose
words barely able to escape
from his mouth as he says goodbye
to his daughter who will return
a stranger. Trying to fit back
into a life that is no longer.
(But know that he truly loved you)
Listen to the sound
of the voices
of your people
voices that you will forever
gravitate towards, because
they sound just like you
wisecracks and slang
that no one else
will ever quite understand.
Know in your soul
that although you
are far away from this place,
your home,
it will always be there
deep in your bones,
a pull like no other.
For you may leave Liverpool
for a while (here and there)
but,
as the saying goes
Liverpool will never, ever
leave you.
