On the Day of Goodbye

Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one

On the day of goodbye

will we know it is this?

 

Will we part with affection,

with embrace or sweet kiss?

 

Or will I be bitter

and push you away,

 

Sure we’ll reconcile

on a less turbulent day

 

Tomorrow’s  uncertain,

a fact not to defy;

 

We cannot predict

that day of goodbye

 

Reviews

[quinfinn]

IF GOODBYE WERE FORESEEABLE WE WOULD NEVER LET IT HAPPEN.....it brought me to my emotional knees , reading this. for i remember those sad goodbyes which weren't meant to happen, and i have lamented every single one throughout the years. this is profoundly sad and yet, beautiful. well done, Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Quin. You are absolutely right about never letting them happen. But since they do, we should do our best to avoid that regret.

[quinfinn]

very true!

[Terohime]

The day of goodbye, Wow, you captured an experience such as this one with a few simple lines.

[SteveB]

This struck me on so many levels and works in so many contexts. At first blush I was remembering failed loves but on second read the final time I saw my mother and father alive.
Well done. As always.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Steve. Your poem reminded me of this - we never know when something is the "last".

[SteveB]

That is one of the things I am enjoying about this place, the way we feed off each other and remind each other of things. I don't believe I have said it to you yet but thank you for helping make me at least a little better at this thing we love.

[Rita L. Sev]

So many helped me when I first came, not so long ago - and you are right - we push each other to be better at this wonderful meeting of pen to paper. I see that you and I have some common themes in our work - that is just so cool to see that I am not the only one thinking along these lines...

[Angi]

I just lost a friend a few weeks ago, this work hits home. I love the way you write, Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Angi! Thank you.

[Marie]

No, we cannot predict a parting. Sometimes it's death.

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, just what I was thinking. And since we never know, we should part with affection. Thanks for reading.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Very true, love the honesty of this piece. we can never tell when we say goodbye. poignant write that echoes a lot of issue need to address.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Marc.

[Souladareatease]

And the memories roll like a film reading this...
Wonderful Write Rita!!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you.

[Jack...]

I am one who thinks the word good should not be used with bye, unless that is exactly what it is. I have often wondered why angry break ups don't use the term, badbye. This was a beautiful poem and so on point. If we knew, would we let it happen or just walk away and say so be it? Nice Rita, this was simply gorgeous.

[quinfinn]

pardon my interfering but i have to say...a "badbye" is well encompassed by the phrase "f**k you very much".....said like thank you very much, of course!

[Jack...]

But in a slightly different tone of voice.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jack, for your kind review. You are right about "byes" rarely being good - as Emily Dickinson wrote, "Parting is all we know of heaven, and all we need of hell."

[Rita L. Sev]

Quin, if only I were able to use that phrase in my daily life - followed by "Don't let the door hit you in the a*s on your way out..." *sigh*

[quinfinn]

well jack, certainly not as Elvis would have inflected....hahah!

[quinfinn]

yes, Rita, i know it isn't socially polite, but oh so tempting...

[Rita L. Sev]

Hahaha! :p

[Jack...]

Thank you, thank you very much....

[quinfinn]

ju gottit man!!!!

[Damien Thibodeaux]

These eloquent words struck a nerve in me. I know the regret of missed goodbyes. Now, I never say goodbye to those closest to me without hugging them and saying I love you. You've said this so well.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Damien. Those missed goodbyes do teach us a lot.

[Robin]

Rita you never cease to amaze me. Another amazing poem. Think I will just stop writing and bask in yours.

[Rita L. Sev]

Oh, no you don't! You come up with some great stuff! Let's just keep sharing, OK? ;) Thank you for your kind review!

[Harrisen Viator]

Such a powerful poem, Rita. The emotions that you bring forth in this poem show how hard it can be to live if you are worried about what tomorrow brings. You should just embrace what you have today, because of the uncertainty that tomorrow brings. I think it is good, I enjoyed reading it.

-Harrisen

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Harrisen