-- One More Goodbye --

John Herlihy

Goodbye he thought, but he did not say.

No more room left in his heart for goodbye.

Goodbye he thought, with no other way,

The look in his eyes, as wind with a sigh.

We take our leave, knowing this the end.

Yet, we say nothing, our mood to betray.

Every muscle, very fiber alert to pretend.

This departure happens on just another day.

Goodbye isn’t goodbye, like freedom isn’t free.

We use these words as if we feel at a loss.

Not knowing what to say, blind even if we see.

Our freedom a turgid river impossible to cross.

One more goodbye will be one more too much.

A finger on my lips will call silence with a touch.

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(c) John Herlihy 4 May 2020