Day NinetyOne

Going through the day

as if I'm not leaving.

My roots have grown so deep

that I feel unmoved

and well grounded.

The day is a pleasant rush

as we go to Shatila for our last 

English class 

and fitness class.

It's the last time for all of us

and it's quite emotional.

Victor has come along with his camera,

Heyly's here and Basem has come along too.

We share a class with Jenny

as Hanna and Alex 

take up the other two classes.

The class runs smoothly.

And I admire Jenny's kindness with kids.

Amazing communication ways.

So innocent and bright.

The kids respond

and I catch myself watching.

The next class is my favourite.

The time comes and we enter.

We draw and write in textbooks

and half way through

as is common,

the kids get impatient and want something more entertaining.

We sind if you're happy and you know it.

I'm a lot more physical today

with hugs and kisses

I drown them.

Their Arabic speaking teacher Rawan walks in

and I ask her to translate to them

that I'm leaving today.

Going [so called] home.

She translates it..

'Mis Alina rooha al beit'.

I wait for a response.

A meh one.

The kids go loud

'£&#+£('

What are they saying!

I ask.

They're asking for me to stay.

I have no response.

Rawan signals for them to sing a song for us.

They sing it.

It sounds sad and my eyes water.

I look at Jenny and we're both holding it in.

I ask what it means.

She says it's a goodbye song.

It sounded so

so

sincere.

My god.

-

Fitness class and the girls walk in.

An hour of handstands doesn't seem long enough

and the time comes when we say

'one more and then halas ok?'

ten times.

We don't want to stop

as much as they want to continue.

We are all aware 

that it's Hanna, Alex and my last time here.

We say our goodbyes 

in a more positive than anything tone.

Thankful for the days we shared,

grateful,

and most of all hopeful

that this class continues to evolve

with Mallory

and whoever

comes along

or comes back.

Girl power goodbyes.

--

And finally,

rushing back to the hostel

to pack

and leave.

Who wants to do that?

I do that old task

of packing

and rush down

for more personable goodbye rituals.

Ed, Jen, Julia and Mals

have come along.

Greg, Han, Alex

and Kaloua

gather around.

I wonder if they're all here for me.

I feel special

and warmed in the lovely circle we have created.

Puns intended as we 

henna my hand with Arabic letters of silence 

and seen.

All is complete;

the circle takes it's last curve

and our goodbye 

seems like a welcome.

We meet where we begun;

where there wasn't a beginning

or an end.