How Do You Say Goodbye?

How do you say goodbye

when you know in your heart

that you will never see this person again?

What are your last words

to the friend who has been there

by your side

class by class

for years and years?

How do you find the words

to say

describing how much fun you've had,

to sum up the good times and the bad,

the boring teachers,

and the ones who kept you on your feet?

How do you say goodbye

to the one who helped you

when you were crying over a bad grade,

a lost friend,

an injury in P.E. class,

or even just some hormonal adolescent thing?

How do you say goodbye

to the place that took from you

your immaturity,

your childhood,

your innocence?

How do you leave?

How do you let them know

that you won't forget them

when time will pass, and you don't know if you won't?

How can you let them go

when it's been such a ride,

and now you just have to say so long?

How do you understand

that this is how it has to be,

the way,

the only way,

this is life?

This is growing up.

How do you accept

that this is the end,

this is where it all ends.

There can be no more silliness

because now,

you must be

MATURE.

Wow.

Mature?

Who knew that would have to come so soon?

Why did it have to come at all?

How do you hold on

to the memories you have

of laughter with these people

who you'll never see again?

Life means growing up,

losing touch,

saying goodbye.

Why did it have to come so soon?

But now that it did,

you have to let it go,

and be strong.

It's your turn to be mature,

to be understanding,

to accept LIFE.

Because now,

as you say goodbye,

LIFE has accepted you.