with regard to the true nature of farewell…
edit to add: a spoken/mixed version of this item now available at –
http://www.splicemusic.com/music/fenix/of%20farewell%20final-16420
it is an odd thing, the farewell
given casually, as if
a tomorrow will dwell
like the scent of promise, a whiff
whose sweetness is known
may be held close to the heart
whose surety is grown
like a rose of permanence
reality is less such soft petals
the farewell in this, revealed
a dream, that settles,
to guard a hope concealed
despite the truth which nettles
in which fear, congealed
shakes, shimmies like the rain
Tennyson called it water, said
“Flow down, cold rivulet, to the sea,”
his farewell, a painful dread
for that which may no more be
Shakespeare “sorrow” said
of farewell’s rusty key
stripped of precious thread
like a gelding, unable, impotent
a farewell is a final thing
for all it’s giv’n with hope
winter’s sigh for the spring
restless hands that ever grope
to hold, to keep, to cling
to avoid the slippery slope
manage yet to crow, to sing
like a rooster, demanding dawn
a farewell truly given, is release
humble thanks for that received
contented passage, at peace
no fearful end to be grieved
nor fickle, fell caprice
to taint the heft and weave
of life’s joyous fabric, set piece,
a delicate lace of memory and moments