The Circle of Saying Goodbye

“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later,” they say.

But three whole years is a long way away.

I know they don’t get it, the connections between us.

We aren’t just acquaintances, we’re friends. You’re the best that I’ve got.

So they can tell me “Don’t shed a tear,”

And they can tell me, “Don’t cry my dear.”

They can tell me it will be all right as we stand there on your last night.

But they can’t expect me to brush it off,

To smile, give a hug, and wave you off.

Oh sure I’ll smile; at least I’ll try.

After all that’s how I want you to remember me as I say goodbye.

But on the car ride home I’ll sob and cry,

Then shut myself away from the light.

And for a few days I won’t speak to a soul,

Then I’ll come out and act like everything’s normal.

But it’s not. It never will be.

You will never be erased from my memory.

And as soon as I think it will be okay,

New people come, and it all starts again.