“GOOD-BYE”

WE say it for an hour or for years;
We say it smiling, say it choked with tears;
We say it coldly, say it with a kiss;
And yet we have no other word than this, —
“Good-bye.”

We have no dearer word for our heart’s friend,
For him who journeys to the world’s far end,
And scars our soul with going; thus we say,
As unto him who steps but o’er the way,—
“Good-bye.”

Alike to those we love and those we hate,
We say no more in parting. At life’s gate,
To him who passes out beyond earth’s sight,
We cry, as to the wanderer for a night,—
“Good-bye.”


Grace Denio Litchfield