Wax Mag #10 –

"Farewell," Poem by Clarisse Terblanche

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May 15th, 2026

Wax Poetry and Art Magazine #10

Under 25 Poetry Contest #12 – First Place

Farewell

by Clarisse Terblanche

Stamped and sealed thoughts 
under fine layers of tarp,
kept them near
but far enough, out of fear.

It was a breath I have been keeping 
whilst the pool of feelings kept deepening,
I wanted to prolong your presence
still young, death did not yet make sense.

I desperately wanted you to stay
as if one day, hurt could just wash away.
 
Silence hung thickly in the air 
whilst the sickly sight of you laid there,

the fog faded my fondest memories:
calloused hands tickling my stomach
same hands nurturing an orchid
and growing miracles from seeds. 

Any words felt too final.
I could not force myself to speak. 
At long last my held breath escapes:
Gramps I love you, always, forever and today.

About the Poet
Clarisse Terblanche resides in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications
on Clarisse Terblanche's Artist Page.

Keywords: finality, words unsaid, fragility of life

Next in Wax Mag #10:
Minus One
Poem by Kaela Sibbald

Back to Wax Mag #10

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