Undesirable Goodbye

The picture from left to right~ My older brother, Ryan; me and my Papaw; my Mamaw and my little brother, Elias~

The house across the way,

holds my fondest memories,

I'd visit every day,

Never dream that they would cease 

I'd kiss my Mamaw, on the cheek

and hug my Papaw tightly,

I said a word I shouldn't speak,

one he said "don't take lightly"

"Emaline, say this instead,

see ya later, or just bye.

Never say Goodbye." he said

"not until I die."

"Goodbye means forever,"

Papaw, started to explain.

"For now we are together,

Lord's willin, we'll meet again."

I didn't like the thought,

of not seeing my best friend.

I still preach what he taught.

I will until the end

Days, months, and years passed

my visits grew short and few.

I still believed they'd always last

Then suddenly, they were through

I'll never forget when Papaw died

I didn't know what to do

"I didn't say the word!" I cried

"I didn't say Goodbye to you!"

My Mamaw, even though her age,

held me within strong arms

I was Twelve years old, and lacking courage

all I needed was her charm

"Don't be sad, Emaline."

She said through broken voice

"Papaw's walking tall and fine,

Instead we should rejoice."

time, slowly moved forward

on hands, still no more

I started shifting shoreward

death, then knocked the door

I got the call, just days before,

my birthday in December

She'd had a fall on concrete floor

Her pain still strikes me tender

'Mamaw please, just look at me,"

her body in weak condition.

She opened up her eyes to see

My mournful disposition.

"I love you more than you'll ever know."

I said through heart so broken

"You've yet to see my daughter grow."

Then she replied, with words, soft spoken.

"I love you too." She said assured

This time, I held my mother

Mamaw fell asleep, no longer to endure,

Then she stopped breathing further

When I pass that house,

that's still across the way,

the ache is hard to douse,

instead I simply pray

I can't go knock upon their door

to spend my lazy summers

They seem like more a myth, a lore

so distant, the sound of mummers

No longer can I seek advice,

when I can't help but cry.

the links to heaven, now in God's vice

An undesirable said, "Goodbye."

Reviews

[Tabitha t]

This is amazing emily! this poem has everything. You have pure talent and I am sure they are reading this from above and smiling to themselfs for being so blessed with a grand daughter like you! I am proud to say that you are my neighbor, friend and as close to family as it could possibly get!

[Serenity Faith]

Thanks Tabby Kat, I'm missing them something awful and so this was what came from it. My Mamaw really did hold me when Papaw died, and I in turn held my Momma when Mamaw died. Whenever you hear me tell Kairi not to say Goodbye, it's because of what my Papaw told me. Thank you for supporting me, you know I'll always do the same for you.

[Tabitha t]

i know you will. you, tim and even little kairi. this is an amazing piece of work and I could never even get close to creating a piece of work like this. Fantastic! when we go through sorrow in our life's if helps us to become better people and to come away with a lesson which you proved perfectly.

[Trigorin]

Not bad. I think your rhyme scheme is a little simple, but you do manage to get the message across fairly well, and overall this is decent. Well done.

[Levi Levin]

I loved this. It brought tears to my eyes and my touched my heart deeply. I share the same experience. I was partially raised my my grandparents in the hills of rural KY. Papaw taught me huntin and fishin too, so many things I can relate to.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you for such a heartfelt review! My Papaw was in a wheelchair, but he taught me more things about life than any man with working legs could. They meant the world to me, but I know they're at their true home now, and that keeps me happy.

[Levi Levin]

Yes thats the peace we have to draw from:)

[Mark]

what a wonderful tribute poem. a brilliant and wonderfully heartfelt write.

[solo2be]

I'm sorry for your lost but what amazing tribute to their memory.They are looking down on you smiling at the woman you have become.

[Rikkevi Rue]

You write with such a simple and open style it has great emotional impact. I felt my emotions welling throughout your profound piece. The really gifted poet touches peoples hearts and minds in a way that evokes not just the passion or feeling of the message of his poem, but stirs from the well of memory by striking realities that echo deeper in the readers own world and draw on his experience. I only judge poetry on the quality of communication and if it is technically crafted with adequate skill to evoke an emotional response, which you have done very well. You are a talented writer

[Written Volumes]

Alot of fond memories in this selective piece! Very nice Emily!

Benjamin

[N!LoC]

urgh... this is too sad... :-(

[Seraphim]

Such a sad goodbye story, but very wonderfully worded. The picture is adprable. :)

[Keegan D'souza]

This was beautiful.. I usually type long reviews.. but i'm so taken by this piece.. I miss my grandparents too.. I Loved it.