Saying—–

written June 2, 2022

For Anni

For JD & Michal D—

Sometimes tears are shed

Whether many or few

Sometimes embraces are shared

Or kisses or clasped hands

Sometimes smiles are brave

And eyes are dry

But people hate to say

—

We say

Stay safe

See you later

Until next time

Don’t be a stranger.

But inside we hate our lies:

Will we see them again?

No one knows

(Probably not)

Why would one leave

One’s dearest friend

Or watch helplessly as they leave?

But we have no choice.

Life sets a course

For each of us

And at some point

We must bid a loved one 

—

How terrible it is

When the parting is permanent!

How much worse

When the joining is temporary!

How woeful the leaving

When death itself is the destination!

To love, to laugh

To make memories

To share a good joke

To cry, to embrace

To eat together

Yet all good things

Seem to come to an end.

Is it worth the heartbreak

For the sake of memories?

Is it worth the pain

For some time together?

Some bonds seem stronger

Than time or space or death

But still separation comes

And they love across a gulf

Never to embrace again.

How unjust that such deep bonds

Are not rewarded by close proximity!

Life should respect the rarity

Of a true friend.

Alas, it is not so.

And somehow life would not be enough;

The friendship deserves an eternity.

Instead we part and wave

We hug and kiss

We cling to these moments

We treasure them in memory

Savoring the beauty of togetherness

For the years apart

Meanwhile our hearts ache

For something more

For something lasting

For something close

And never leaving.

Yet somehow saying —

To certain friends

Comes with a sense of peace

Because even as we say

Goodbye

Our hearts shout

See you in eternity.

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