Raymond Carver

Beloved,

I found this yesterday and it so sounds like our last month together. There is comfort in knowing I am not alone in this grief.

No Need

I see an empty place at the table.

Whose? Who else’s? Who am I kidding?

The boat’s waiting. No need for oars

or a wind. I’ve left the key

in the same place. You know where.

Remember me and all we did together.

Now, hold me tight. That’s it. Kiss me

hard on the lips. There. Now

let me go, my dearest. Let me go.

We shall not meet again in this life,

so kiss me goodbye now. Here, kiss me again.

Now, my dearest, let me go.

It’s time to be on my way.

—Raymond Carver