“Saying Goodbye to My Parents”

Standing at the departure boards with the people you love is not new to any TCK. It’s a gate to where the goodbyes begin. It is uncomfortable, and emotions and thoughts may feel divided. Melanie Hyo-In Han captures this moment from the words to the structure in her poem.

"Saying Goodbye to My Parents"
by Melanie Hyo-In Han


at the airport under the departure boards we stood

       our paths diverging 			        our flights an hour apart 
	
                                    us towards the familiarity of London 
	
              them back to the warmth of Dar es Salaam 

the finality of our goodbye             hugs promising reconnection after another 
                                                                  two years


					안녕 

                           settled beside my partner 	        at our gate 
separation sinks in 								

       then tears      unexpected 	stream down my face	 a silent protest

		       unfair 	   the (in)frequency 	      seeing my parents 


	should i go see them again before they board their flights?
	

				as i make my way towards my parents’ gate

there she is 			my mom 		navigating through travelers 
		
	 her eyes		mirrors 	of my own emotions 		


		we go find		   my dad 		

and our hug becomes a cocoon 		   shielding us 		


                     from imminent separation


			               안녕 

Born in Korea and raised in East Africa, Melanie Hyo-In Han recently moved from the U.S. to the U.K. She is the author of Abecedarian: Banff, Canada (kith books), My Dear Yeast (Milk & Cake Press) and Sandpaper Tongue, Parchment Lips (Finishing Line Press).

You can find her on her website or on IG.