Rebecca Olayinka - Farewell, Dear Bristol

A city filled with history,

A city filled with a “new” hope.

I was a resident in your large bosom,

Although I was never really home.

The graffiti that claims your streets,

To your music scene that has an ever pumping beat.

Off to the pop up shops and side streets I did trot.

I caught your smiles on familiar faces,

I also caught the sadness, in your darkened places.

So many people love you,

That was me, once.

Your presence draws us into your electric vibe,

And in the shadows there are so many places for us to hide.

Your finesse betrays the curves of your unique rhythms,

I dreamed of you…

You were a part of me once…

We had a relationship,

We once had trust.

Yet I was visibly invisible,

Just an ideal of what you wanted me to be.

I went happily along,

I danced and a swerved to the never ending beat of a hum drum.

Then the dancing suddenly stopped.

My heart was broken, shattered, it was torn.

My history filled the “necessary silence,”

It was deafening,

It wreaked of a somewhat violence….

We parted ways, It was my chance of surviving,

Yet, no matter what, you would continue thriving.

You whispered to me a gentle fond farewell

I couldn’t respond,

I felt weak, I was unwell.

I say it now,

I say it loud!

Farewell Dear Bristol,

Till we meet again,

Farewell Dear Bristol,

My now distant friend.

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Written by Rebecca Oluwaseyi

My name is Rebecca-Oluwaseyi and I live in London. I spent many years studying and working in Bristol where I attended UWE Bristol and completed my Social Work Degree. I am a qualified social worker and freelance writer and speaker. I am very passionate about Black Foster Children as I was a care experienced child. I have been very lucky to have my written work featured in 2x books that I have contributed to; Outlanders- Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour & ChickenSoupForTheSoul-I’m Speaking Now: Black Women Share Their Truth in 101 Stories of Love, Courage and Hope.

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