Poems about saying goodbye are poignant reflections on the bitterness of parting ways. These verses explore the emotions stirred by farewells, encompassing both sorrow and hope.
They may recount the separation from loved ones, the end of significant life chapters, or the letting go of the past.
Through heartfelt imagery, these poems offer solace in times of change, acknowledging the inevitability of goodbyes while celebrating the new beginnings they usher in. They remind readers that in bidding farewell, there lies an opportunity for growth, resilience, and embracing life’s uncertainties.
Romano’s ‘When Tomorrow Starts Without Me’ offers solace in grief, exploring love and afterlife, reassures that loved ones remain forever.
Saying goodbye in this poem is bittersweet but filled with warmth and reassurance. The narrator offers gentle reminders that love and memories endure, making parting less painful. The farewell is framed not as a final goodbye, but as a temporary separation softened by the promise of eternal connection, helping readers process the inevitable with grace and hope.
‘Gone’ by Henrik Ibsen is a sad but moving poem that illustrates the melancholy that arrives after one’s company has departed.
The inciting incident in the poem is the departure of the speaker's guests. In this way, the poem presents a poignant understanding of the anguish that comes with saying goodbye. Be it to friends or a person who has sparked some passion, there is a universal sorrow that comes with such a farewell.
‘To E.T.’ processes the lingering grief and regret caused by a friend’s death via an expression of loving admiration.
Another of the topics touched on by the poem grapples with the difficulty of saying goodbye to a loved one, especially in a time of war, when death seems to loom around every corner. Frost illustrates and explores this dilemma through the regret of things left unsaid, lamenting the incomplete nature of the speaker's farewell, as it was never meant to be permanent. Unable to give a proper goodbye, one that might encompass all the feelings that lay unresolved, the speaker finds themselves perpetually wrestling with this loss.
‘Yes, Holy Be Thy Resting Place’ is one of Emily Brontë’s poems that visits the softly sentimental side of her poetic talent.
The poem is a heartfelt farewell to a loved one who must be left behind, expressing the difficulty of parting and the desire to bless and protect the departing loved one.
In ‘A Red, Red Rose,’ Robert Burns lyrically celebrates enduring love, promising everlasting commitment amidst a temporary farewell.
The poem unfolds as the speaker bids farewell to his beloved before a temporary departure. Although it primarily celebrates enduring love, the speaker communicates these sentiments to console the beloved, assuring her of a return and permanent love amid the parting words, infusing the goodbye with hope for future togetherness. Thus, this departure, framed within the context of relentless love, hints at the bittersweet nature of farewells—acknowledging the necessity of distance while maintaining a steadfast commitment to reunion.
‘Ae Fond Kiss’ by Robert Burns is a Scottish poem describing the emotional parting of two lovers trapped in inevitable circumstances.
The poem delves into a hard goodbye laden with emotional turmoil associated with farewells, specifically when they are permanent and inevitable. The repetitive use of goodbye phrases, tears, groans, and requests for a last kiss accentuates the difficulty of parting with loved ones, especially a romantic lover. The repeated use of the word 'alas' underscores the dismal nature of the goodbye, indicating that the parting is not by choice but by circumstances.
‘New Year’s Eve Midnight’ by Gabriel Okara reflects on passage of time, hopes, and dreams amidst fading memories, and dawn of new beginnings.
The piece explores saying goodbye through the tolling bells marking the end of one year and the emergence of new hopes for the next. The speaker's heart beats "the Nunc Dimittis" to bid farewell to past aspirations. Saying goodbye is portrayed as a solemn and introspective moment, acknowledging the passage of time and the need for renewal.
Bishop’s poem, ‘First Death in Nova Scotia’, is the detailed description of a child’s first encounter with death and the emotions this discovery causes.
The poem explores this universal experience through the simple act of placing a flower in Arthur’s hand. It reflects the emotional complexity of farewells, especially for a child, and underscores the significance of small rituals in expressing grief and finding closure.
Walter Scott’s ‘Marmion and Douglas’ is an extract from “Marmion” that focuses on the insightful conversation between Douglas and Marmion.
Farewells are usually emotional or heartfelt. But, in Marmion and Douglas, the departure took a rather sour turn when Douglas pointed out his nature of respect for Marmion. Here, the goodbye is filled with contempt and snobbery. Additionally, the farewell culminated in a humiliated escape.
‘If You Forget Me’ speaks directly to the speaker’s lover, warning her what will happen if she falls out of love with him.
A large part of the poem feels like the speaker is preparing for a possible goodbye. He talks about forgetting and being forgotten in a quiet but serious way. Instead of pleading, he accepts that if love ends, he will walk away with no hard feelings. This steady voice gives weight to the idea of leaving and letting go, especially when it comes to love that is not returned. It makes the topic of saying goodbye feel very present.
MacCaig’s ‘Below the Green Corrie’ explores the mountains’ dual nature—threatening yet enriching, revealing nature’s profound impact.
One of the most moving parts of the poem comes near the end, when the speaker pauses to look back at the mountains. This moment shows how hard it can be to leave something that has mattered so deeply. Saying goodbye here is more than just walking away. It is an emotional farewell to a place that has offered comfort, growth, and connection. The speaker’s final glance captures the feeling of parting with something unforgettable.
‘Clearances’ forms part of a series of sonnets in which Heaney examines his relationship with his mother, and focuses on her death.
The poem’s final lines capture a quiet moment of parting between Heaney’s parents, seen through the eyes of their children. The father leans down to speak one last time to his wife, expressing care in just a few words. This exchange becomes a powerful farewell, showing that goodbyes can be gentle and simple. The children’s reaction suggests that this farewell brings clarity and comfort. The poem uses this goodbye to mark both loss and acceptance.
‘A Leave-Taking’ by Swinburne portrays a poet’s despair and resignation due to unrequited love and detachment.
The poem is about accepting loss and saying goodbye to something that will never be. The poet realizes that there is no point in holding on to hope, so he chooses to leave. His goodbye is not just to the woman he loves but also to his dreams, his hopes, and the feelings he once had. He lets go, even though it hurts him deeply.
‘Before the Birth of One of Her Children’ by Anne Bradstreet is a moving poem about a woman’s opinion on death. Inspired by her pregnancy, the speaker pens this epistolary to her husband.
The poem is, in many ways, a goodbye letter, as the speaker faces the possibility of leaving her family. She expresses her wishes for them, hoping her husband will remember her and keep their family safe. This farewell feels heartfelt and sincere, capturing the sadness and acceptance of parting while showing her deep love and care for those she may leave behind.
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