-- Goodbye, for Now --

John Herlihy

Goodbyes that can be counted on a thousand hands,

Strangers offering goodbyes across a thousand lands.

Many goodbyes so intense, no words do justice ever,

Look into the eyes of someone with goodbye forever.

Sometimes we pretend never having to say goodbye,

Then life creeps up with a hasty separation on the sly.

Goodbye to parents, siblings, friends, strangers even,

So long winter, spring, summer, fall, time for leaven’.

Often, when facing sudden death, people call Mother!

A final appeal to the world, a memory like none other.

I remember the first time I ventured forth, left home,

Saying goodbye to my mother under heaven’s dome.

Later the long goodbye when she couldn’t remember,

The mind behind her eyes had lost any feelings tender.

How I wished to recapture a lucid moment somehow,

To take her hands in mine, whisper goodbye, for now.

One final goodbye that would live in my heart forever,

God be with you, a sentiment, that nothing can sever.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 28 January 2022