Madagascar Goodbye // a poem

I never thought I’d leave,

She says as she drives past rice fields.

Her parents and siblings are all here;

Her memories and identity are here;

Here in this beautiful place like no other.

With species that are no where else

But her three daughters and one son

Have just begun their lives.

She looks backward with gratefulness

She looks forward with joyful openness

And in December they will get on a plane

And fly to a new world.