the evergreen state.

leaving is difficult. saying goodbye seems to only become bearable when it's fast, like ripping off a band-aid. if the plant isn't pulled out completely, roots stay behind, smoldering in familiar ground where they once grew. returning has been nothing close to expected. i'd forgotten that without the protection of a band-aid, healed skin is vulnerable. the regression stings, burns like salt in a scrape. i'm trying to remember...trying to appriciate, that though salt stings, it also heals.