The Child Is Grown

Tis here we part ways, oh dear friend,
And you go back where we came from,
For this road I walk, knows no end;
They must be worried back home.

And I shall go my own heart's way,
Where the wind and the stars take me,
And if the rivers freeze, and my legs give away,
I'll sing me songs of thy memories.

And should this be all, we see of each other,
Cherish what remains of our youth,
And should you ever wonder, if I remember,
Don't bother, for I probably do.

A dream is how it all begins,
And so it must end with another,
As the walls that nurtured, now choke me in,
And I must break now, or never.

And as you go home, visit every garden,
Should this be the last time you return,
Recall lost promises, and knock on every door,
And do leave her a letter.

Tis here we part ways, oh dear friend,
And you return where we come from.
For every new beginning is also an end...
I hope everyone's fine back home.

Reviews

[Boring~Potato]

"Tis Here We Part Ways" is a beautifully poignant poem that captures the bittersweet nature of farewells and the inexorable passage of time. The speaker bids farewell to a dear friend, expressing both sorrow and acceptance as their paths diverge. From the outset, the poem is steeped in melancholy, yet there's an underlying sense of resolve, as the speaker sets out on their own journey, led by the heart and the natural world, while their friend returns to where they began.

The opening lines immediately establish a sense of separation and uncertainty, with the speaker acknowledging that the road they must walk is endless, and the loved ones back home must be anxious. This establishes a reflective tone that permeates the rest of the piece. The speaker’s willingness to embrace the unknown, even if it means hardship ("And if the rivers freeze, and my legs give away"), adds depth to their character—resilient, yet tender in their remembrance.

The theme of memories and their lasting impact is one of the poem's strongest elements. The line "Don't bother, for I probably do" resonates with a quiet confidence that though time and distance may separate them, the bond they share is indelible. There’s an intimacy to this recollection, as if the speaker knows that true connections transcend physical presence.

The idea of a dream serving as both the beginning and end of something is a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and relationships. The speaker recognizes the necessity of moving on, even when the comfort of the past threatens to hold them back. The juxtaposition of "walls that nurtured, now choke me in" beautifully illustrates this struggle—acknowledging the importance of the past but also the need to break free in order to grow.

The speaker’s final instructions to their friend—to visit gardens, recall lost promises, and leave a letter—adds a layer of nostalgia and reverence for what was, while urging their friend to embrace closure in their own way. It feels like an invitation to continue the journey of memories, even in the face of goodbye.

The poem’s concluding lines return full circle to the idea of separation, making clear that every beginning carries within it the seed of an ending. This cyclical view of life, where each chapter is woven with the threads of others, is handled with grace and sincerity.

Overall, "Tis Here We Part Ways" is a beautifully reflective piece, rich with emotional depth. It speaks to the universal experience of parting ways, of the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, and the inevitable passage of time. It leaves a lasting impression, a gentle reminder that while farewells may sting, they also carry the promise of new beginnings, even as they mark the end of something cherished.

[Esther]

This is one of the subtlest poems I've ever come across, much like those of the Bronte sisters.