Today I Say Goodbye
In the hours before, I rehearse the dialogue
My monologue
Of how many tears we will hoard
Or how freely we will release the goodbye’s
What speed and pace and length will the salutation be
I know nothing of any of this
This path that we will walk
Only that it is you
Your countenance
Soul-filled redemptive beauty
Which I will miss
Circling the globe in search of words
To tell the stories of unfurled beauty
Marked by redeeming acts
Stamped with mercy’s seal
Two paths crossed like a jet stream’s tail
Go in peace to love and serve
Today I say goodbye
Today someone else receives the gift of a new hello
Oh, the way of the cross
The mystery of His love
I have practiced good bye a hundred times
Watch me
I still weep
Redemption’s beauty
Has come and gone and will come again
World without end
Amen
Peace of the Lord be always with you
Our soup is getting cold
One check, please
And also with you
elizabeth w. marshall 
Okay, well, you made me cry. You have such a beautiful way with poetry Elizabeth. This is a priceless gift I will hold close, always. Thank you!
Yes, well, this made me cry, too. what a gift Shelly is and what a beautiful poem, elizabeth.
beautiful, simply beautiful.
So beautiful and bathed in love. Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing it here.