I read a really helpful poem by a Native American woman who was born in 1917. It was called, "There is no word for goodbye." The poem was about how in this womans native language, there wasn't a word for goodbye. Instead they say, "See you" when they depart. She asked the question in the poem, "Does the mouth ever say goodbye to the heart?"

I needed to read that poem today. I wish I could thank the author. I hope someone else can benefit from this truth.

Peace, See You.

[Fresia]

Is this the poem? I love that, "see you" instead of the notion that some partings are actually "good" goodbyes, not even close. The poem is touching. Thank you for sharing. I hope this is it:

“There Is No Word for Goodbye” by Mary TallMountain

Sokoya, I said, looking through
the net of wrinkles into
wise black pools
of her eyes.

What do you say in Athabascan
when you leave each other?
What is the word
for goodbye?

A shade of feeling rippled
the wind-tanned skin.
Ah, nothing, she said,
watching the river flash.

She looked at me close.
We just say, Tlaa. That means,
See you.
We never leave each other.

When does your mouth
say goodbye to your heart?
She touched me light
as a bluebell.
You forget when you leave us;
you're so small then.

We don't use that word.
We always think you're coming back, I
but if you don't,
we'll see you some place else.
You understand.
There is no word for goodbye.

Sokoya: Aunt (mother's sister)
Tlaa: See you

From Mary TallMountain’s volume of poems The Light on the Wall. Reprinted Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1990.

[nanettetron]

Cool poem, I think that is neat how you share your thoughts with nice poetry passages. The Word of God says "Every good and perfect gift comes from the father up above."

Cheers!

Nanette from Texas