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.

[Admiral Kirk]

This is a very beautiful poem. It really captures these emotions, grief, pain, sorrows, regrets... All very well done. I didn't catch a single grammar error, though the poem was too captivating for me to notice them if they existed anyway. This is touching and emotional...

"Goodbye means forever,"
Papaw, started to explain.
"For now we are together,
Lord's willin, we'll meet again."

... beautifully said. This poem is really meaningful and you have quite a way with words. It's all very well put. Great job, this poem is fantastic!

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you very much. ^_^

[Admiral Kirk]

You're very welcome. :)

[EMF]

Truly stunning work. Handled with tight precission and professional structure and flow. Breathtaking in its emotional scope and, despite its subject matter, a true delight to und=cover such talet=nt. Thank you. Breathtaking work.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you Mr. Faustus a.k.a. Chris. I'm glad you took the time to visit my page and liked my work as well. It's truly appreciated. ^_^

[Tina Kline]

This is a wonderful, very loving poem in memory for your Papaw and Mamaw. Very moving and emotional. I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I read. You did a brilliant job on this write.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you. ^_^ I'm glad they could touch your heart too. My grandparents were more my Mom and Dad, than even my actual parents, which I love as well.

[demureminds]

This really tugged at my heartstrings and your feelings were very well depicted in this. The part where you wrote "I didn't say the word! I cried. I didn't say goodbye to you." I don't know why but I like that part. It's as if we would all feel better if we knew we were in control of these things... The flow was also really great, very well written piece.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank You ^_^ that means a lot to me

[Sam Gregory]

You're very talented, it's a very touching poem that really gets the reader feeling the emotion. You use emotive language very effectively, beautifully written. Keep it up

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you so much! ^_^

[Sam Gregory]

No problem :)

[zainul]

Great poem to record the history of the family.
This poem shows true love and emotion of a relative.
Here the young poet cited many elements of her community.
The norms,values and taboos of her culture have been expressed vividly.
Following stanzas may be noted to understand some:

"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."

Let's pray for the eternal peace of the grandparents of Emily.

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you for the prayers ^_^ I'm sure they hear them

[zainul]

Let's hope for the best

[Brittany]

Awww...this made me cry. I had wonderful grandparents and I miss them so much. I think you captured the love you shared and memories very well and I thank you for posting something so personal and well expressed. My daughter's name is Emeline. :-)

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you very much! The nickname from my Mamaw and Papaw was Emaline. You're daughter has a wonderful name ^_^

[Not Your Typical New Yo..]

This is very sad, but you have wonderful memories fo your parents, and those great memories came here in words. And in the end, I was almost about to cry, which a poem hardly does. You really show your true talent through here, Mrs. White, and I'm really sorry. God bless

[Serenity Faith]

Thank you Greg ^_^ That makes me smile.

[Hope]

This is a truely sad poem I am still crying I know what you have gone through and this has brought up some painful memories and I hope you are doning ok.

[Serenity Faith]

I'm doing fine, thank you for being worried ^_^ It would make them sad if I was sad all the time, I am sorry to have brought up something painful for you though :( I hope you are doing okay.

[Hope]

I am Dealing and not giving up thank you and its ok I needed to remember. :)

[Poetic Beauty]

This is a great poem that is heartfelt and has story telling in it. It lets us know how close you were to you grandma and grandpa.