RAQUEL CHAVEZ
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Song of Departure

I sing at the departure
because I don't know if I'm coming back.
I touch your forehead -- on the edge --
and oblivion topples me over.
I pull from your eyes
these flowers of lapacho
and I lie down over the grass
slaking your ancient thirst.
I make of your a collective body,

destined for the earth,
when today
in the parting
I sing
because I don't know if I'm coming back.