Before Leaving Poem by Rati Saxena

close all the doors, one
by one,

hear them shut with a click,
pat each knob farewell,

and try never to promise to return,
not even by mistake,

don't fret over who next
might pass through; each door
itself decides this

before leaving wipe away
each footprint
and fingerprint, no longer
needed by anyone,

before leaving, pack your things,
bundle every rusted story

and decorate the table with memories of laughter

before leaving, check every book,
throwing out the pressed flowers
dried in their pages

before leaving erase every line, break
open all the knots

and smile with strength
until life comes to sit
in the corners of your mouth

before leaving, close the final door,
and the rest will close themselves






translated from hindi to English by Seth Michelson