Tom Staudt

Changing Directions

Your suitcase sits ready to go in the hallway. We look at each other. It is very still.  Maybe we secretly hope for a sign, something to make us change our minds. I break the silence. “I guess it’s best that way.” When you reach the door you hesitate. Looking straight at me you ask, “What will you do now?” I turn away, hiding my tears. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

autumn winds
every morning he sweeps 
the walkway

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Tom Staudt lives in Sydney, Australia. He writes mainly Japanese poetry and has been published in several online journals. He has also written short stories, two of which have been published in a short story collection called Phoenix Ink. He moved to Sydney from Germany in 2002.