A Time for Goodbyes

By John I. Blair

As with many who have reached
The age at which I find myself
I’ve had times I knew
Beyond a doubt
I faced death eye to eye;

And to my own surprise
My first reaction wasn’t fear
But rather sadness
And an overwhelming need
To say goodbye,

Goodbye to everyone I loved,
Goodbye as well to blue skies,
Green trees, shining waters,
Feathered birds and furry animals,
To all the sweetness of this place.

I have loved my life
And everything that’s in it,
Even sadness, for I recognize
In sadness the other face of joy,
In tears the other face of love.

©2017 John I. Blair, 7/12/2017