Letting Go

by second year Mai Lei Long

I’ve never been good at letting go

“That’s okay”—you say—“let’s take a walk,

Clear our minds, then you’ll know”

We start our journey up the trail slow

Every few feet along, I pause and gawk

at the wonders. I’ve never been good at letting go

The leaves above our heads glitter, aglow

Golden sunlight peeking through; a woodpecker knocks

“Clear your mind”—you whisper—“then you’ll know”

The slippery shadows sway to-and-fro

Melting, merging, dappling patterns on hemlock

I’ve never been good at letting go

Once at the peak, we look down below

And listen to the rushing water cut through the bedrock

I can’t clear my mind; will I ever know?

I turn to ask you, but the feeling comes back—sorrow

You aren’t there, you never were, and it’s not a shock

I’ve never been good at letting go

One day, I’ll clear my mind, then I’ll know