September 11, 2020

The cherry blossom won’t relent.

While my heart is heavy with unshed tears,

my arms wrapped around my youngest son,

the cherry blossom just keeps singing -

loudly,

at the top of it’s voice -

“It’s a new season!!……….”

We pile into the car and head for the airport.

We josh and chat and keep smiling but

his departure flies toward us

with the unknown.

At Melbourne Airport we’re not allowed in,

…see that policeman….

so we pause on the pavement.

I kiss him through my mask

and release him to a COVID world

carrying hand sanitiser, anti-bacterial wipes,

multiple masks……

everything he owns packed into a 30.9kg suitcase 

with plans and possibilities.

He moves away through those glass doors

and we wait outside

in our masks

for a bit….

Then in the car heading home

darkness closes in,

and like a silent embrace,

delivers us back

ever so quietly

to where the cherry blossom tree

just won’t stop humming.

 (photo credit: Amy Gubana)