You know how good-byes feel. How the air gets excited when all its ions and electrical charges are disrupted, first by the intent to leave and later by the leaving itself. Then, when the bodies move away through space, they create empty pockets where feelings get caught and eddy around in the vacuum, creating little vortices of relief or sadness or confusion.
In this quote from Ruth Ozeki's "All Over Creation," the author captures the complex emotions surrounding goodbyes. The description highlights how the atmosphere shifts when someone prepares to depart, filled with a mix of anticipation and tension. This moment of intention disrupts the normal flow, indicating that change is imminent and prompting an emotional response.
As the individuals part ways, they leave behind an emptiness that can evoke various feelings, such as relief, sadness, or confusion. Ozeki poetically illustrates how these feelings can swirl around in the void, symbolizing the lingering impact of farewells on both people and their relationships. The imagery of eddies and vortices conveys the deep emotional resonance and turbulence inherent in saying goodbye.