Poetry: “Departure” & “Respite” by Justice Castaneda

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cities, hong kong, poetry, departure

Departure

 

Once upon a time, I know I had a plan.

Going to come back, finish the conversation.

Keep all of the promises,

About how it all connected and why

There was so much there

To dream.

 

Overwhelming really, even takes the breath away,

Freefalling, I let it subside, and the memories fade;

Lake and Oceanside conversations,

Moments to say

I would never forget or let go.

And I knew I would never come back

So I pretend that I never want to leave.

But I do.

 

And the coast disappears

And you did as well.

Hidden underneath the fog,

Hiding everything;

The mist came in and set us

Right, and put us all

To sleep.

 

The trains roll,

And the sirens roar,

Through the morning city;

Urban rooster, setting everything to

Go, and it’s a

Long day ahead.

 

Relaxed, just

Concentrating on breath.

I leave, I know.

This is what I do.

 

No permanence,

Or stake to claim or defend.

Just life and the road,

And everyone in between it.

Falling in love in the great cities.

 

But not all.

Not yet.


Respite

 

Once I drank

One thousand dollars

In a month.

 

Bit of beer

And lots of whiskey.

Just to talk myself

to sleep

At night.

 

And if you’ve been awake

As long as I have

I think you would’ve spent

One thousand-

One.

 

Photo Credit: Abdul Rahman
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Justice Castaneda

Justice Castañeda serves as the Executive Director of Common Wealth Development, a long-standing community development organization in Madison, WI, and is completing his dissertation work in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. An educator and community development specialist by trade, Justice’s professional and academic work explores the intersections of housing policy, economic development and community violence, looking at the role these intersections play in educational & life outcomes for youth who have experienced traumatic events in early childhood and adolescence. His most recent research explores the relationship between land-use polices (including housing policy) and economic / educational outcomes for youth in Madison, WI. His academic career began at the Red Caboose Early Childhood Center in Madison, and his professional career began in the US Marine Corps, where he served for 8 years before being honorably discharged.

1 Comment
  1. I enjoyed reading these poems by Justice. Their direct address brings me close to the ‘I’ and the slight, wry-dark ending of “Respite” sort of pushes me back away, in a move that wakes me up.

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