And I was wondering how to depart without self-loathing or sadness, or with as little as possible, when a kind of immense sigh all around me announced it was not I who was departing, but the flock.
In this excerpt, the speaker reflects on the complex emotions tied to departure. Instead of feeling a personal sense of loss, the realization dawns that it is the flock, or a collective, that is leaving. This shift in focus highlights a longing to escape feelings of self-loathing or sadness during transitions.
This moment of recognition suggests that the departure isn't solely an individual experience but involves a broader connection with others. The immense sigh symbolizes the weight of this shared experience, underscoring the interplay between personal feelings and collective moments of change.