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."

Author's Note

In loving Memory of my Papaw, Buford Orvalee Whited 10-12-04
In loving Memory of my Mamaw, Thelma Ruth Whited 12-03-11

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.

[Geon Quuin]

First of all, I would like to say, I'm sorry for your loss. Halfway through the poem I started laughing the verses. This is a good narrative poem. Decent structure, decent diction, strong emotion. I can actually feel the sorrow and anguish you felt during those times. Eloquently written.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you Quuin. They were my world. My parents worked a lot when I was little, so for practically my whole childhood, they were my parents.

[Geon Quuin]

I didn't meant "started laughing." I meant rapping. My fingers sometimes do some typos here and there. I apologize for that if I offended you. To show that I am truly sorry, I gave my fingers a good hard slap for their mistakes.

[Serenity Faith]

Lol that made me giggle! And no I wasn't offended...besides, Mamaw always said laughter was lifes greatest medicine. Part of the reason I try to stay positive^_^ your kind words were plenty for me

[Geon Quuin]

I'm glad I managed to make you smile. I wish I could see you smile in personal. Your photos doesn't do you any justice. I think your real beauty is not translated well enough in these pictures. Seeing you smile in your photos was enough to uplift me for awhile. I wonder what they could do if I see them in real life.

[Serenity Faith]

Lol you never know, maybe fate will have us meet one day ^_^ thank you for the compliment, it made my day.

[Dhaye]

You are a great writer! i like the rhymes...the words...everything's just so great. story's told and pull any heartless creature to feel it.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you so much ^_^ this piece means a lot to me, so I hope it touches all the hearts that reads it.

[Rhianne Ney]

May God be with you and may you live with happiness...

[DalainaRenee]

Sweet poem. I called my Grandpa, Paw Paw too funny? We called my grandma Granny. Nice job on the poem

[Irvette Dauphine]

what can i say just amazing! like this :)

[Enid Blake]

Saying goodbye is the hardest word. You capture this brilliantly in your poem.

[icaros13]

This made me think of my own dear Grandmother who has forgotten more than I will ever know... It gets me foggy-eyed to think of goodbye...

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I have always shied from using "goodbye"...it is so final. You did a lovely job of communicating your love for your family, and bringing out their personalities in your well chosen images. Thank you for sharing this. You gave me a glimpse into the heart of your memories and stirred up my own.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you very much. ^_^ I never say Goodbye. There are too many other ways and languages to say bye with instead. I'm glad you could step into my memory with this, as sad as they might be, they're quite beautiful to me at the same time. I hope I stirred up happy memories, rather than sad ones.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Memories of those we love seem to always include sad and happy. This was a precious thing to find today. :)

[Earthy Mumma Soul]

awww , I love your writing lady :) Thank you for sharing this :) xxx

[Serenity Faith]

Why thank you ^_^ I'm glad you liked it.