i say good-bye
after joyful times
a family get together
dinner out on the town
a celebration amongst friends
hugs
kisses
till i see you again
*
good-bye
*
i said good-bye
not by choice
i wonder if you knew
our last good-bye
would be our last good-bye
tears in my eyes
a broken heart
*
good-bye
*
i say good-bye
once more
a peaceful wish
knowing the end is near
tears i’ve swallowed
smiles i’ve faked
as each good-bye
brings a heavy heart
*
when i say good-bye,
in good spirits
or
despairing times
a good-bye
is a good-bye
~~~~~
Runner, Reader, & Rockin' Mom 
Hugs to you, friend, for whatever you are carrying right now. ❤
Goodbye–always difficult to say. Your poem is moving, Amy. The raw emotion of the final goodbye is palpable in this piece. I think you are brave to write it and brave to share it too. One never
“gets over” losing a loved one.
Oh, I have tears in my eyes! I do not like good-byes of any kind. It is so hard for me. You were very brave to share this poem, Amy. I read it twice. My thoughts and a bear hug to you for the good-bye that moved you to write this poem.
Beautiful. I could think of situations where I was saying each of the good-bye’s you describe.
Just hauntingly lovely.
Amy, your poem is a beautiful and gentle lament. When I read, I saw a series of goodbyes said to the same loved one… and I was reminded of my “goodbyes” to my dad. Hugs to you!
Alice said it so well–Your poem is a “beautiful and gentle lament.” I was especially struck by those good-byes that are unexpectedly final. Thanks for sharing.
Amy — Sending you a virtual hug and sorries for the loss you are facing. “I say goodbye not by choice” really got to me. Thank you for bravely writing and sharing, as so many others have already said.