Omnipresent

Goodbye, adieu, adios, adeus, auf wiedersehen, sayonara, dasvidaniya, arrivederci, kwaheri, Ma’ssalaame, lehitra’ot, zaijian words to depart

Shake off the dust, nose is an arrow, nothing behind

Navajo has no word for goodbye, only physical parting, 

spirit, thought and influence are always present 

Bind the tongue

Words have power

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as emily dickinson said, "words have the power to heal; they also have power to kill."
j.

[Soren]

Thank you so much Jacob for your comment And yes words do have both powers.

[Arundass TP]

Different languages use different words for a thing. Different sounds too. But I feel animals are too lucky to have minimum sounds to respond, birds too. Good writing

[Soren]

Thank you so much for your interesting insights on this poem. They are most appreciated. Yes life might be simpler without words, but even the birds understand the causes of their own kind. After all without words, there would be no poetry.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Soren... I am delighted you included Hungarian , since my Father's family migrated to the USA in the thirties; and also my Son married a Navajo Lady and now I have two grandaughters who are Scottish and Hungarian and Navajo. They are beautiful and their Mother has taught them many dances and they have learned to prepare meals at an early age. Multi-culture is Fine. truly, Pat

[Soren]

Thank you so much for your most kind comment and reading my poem. Your comments are always welcome and and well anticipated. Have a wonderful day.

[Laz K.]

Allow me to add another version of "goodbye": Viszontlátásra (Hungarian).
"spirit, thought and influence are always present" - i like the contrast this line creates with the rest of the poem that is about language and words that can die away, or even go extinct.
"Words have power" - is another great line that adds a bit of a "meta-level" awareness to a poem that says something about words through words, and about language through language.

[Soren]

Thank you so much for your contribution. I was not aware of that even though my son-in-law is Hungarian and speaks Hungarian. You are dead on about the interpretation and I thank you for your insight.

[John the Baptist]

Of course, if your thoughts are right, the words will follow.

[Soren]

Thank you so much, John. I appreciate you reading this poem and for your most kind comment you are so right words will follow.

[Pryde Foltz]

Indeed ... until we meet again or hasta luego ... much better and with no finality:)

[Soren]

Thank you so much for the read and commnent it is appreciated

[Marie]

The title of the poem indicates that our loved one is always present. I love how you have added "Goodbye" in so many different languages, Soren. Very interesting to learn that Navajo have no word for "Goodbye", something I did not know. You are so right that the parting is only physical and that it's only "Goodbye until we meet again", it is not forever. Until that day dawns, Spirit, thought and presence are always present and nobody should speak ill of those who are deceased.
We miss our loved ones, but can rest assured that they have not left us, they are always with us and walk beside us every step of the way on our journey through life. They are never more than a thought away as we love and remember them every day. A very beautiful tribute to your loved ones, dear Soren and to everybody in Spirit. Your words are so comforting! Thank you so very much for sharing, dear friend...

[Soren]

Dear Marie, thank you so much for not only reading but interpreting the intention of this poem. You have hit it right on the mark thank you again so much.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, dear Soren. Bless you always...

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i have heard of the Irish goodbye but not the Navajo. but even in english this word is going out of fashion. we hate the idea that parting is a permanant thing. yet if one believes in the afterlife and that the spirits that connect on earth will meet again in the heavens, then maybe 'goodbye' is a useless word?
but it is not useless, not completely. words have power. words give us closure. and while parting is a painful moment, it is inevitable. therefore we ought to somehow express that sorrow.

[Soren]

Goodbye is never goodbye. We always hold the memories the feelings of the other person their spirit if you would is always present.