Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A GOOD-BY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A GOOD-BY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Good-by, my friend!'
Last Line: "were this a real 'good-by'!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Absence; Farewell; Friendship; Separation; Isolation; Parting


"GOOD-BY, my friend!"
He takes her hand --
The pressures blend:
They understand
But vaguely why, with drooping eye,
Each moans -- "Good-by! -- Good-by!"

"Dear friend, good-by!"
O she could smile
If she might cry
A little while! --
She says, "I ought to smile -- but I --
Forgive me -- There! -- Good-by!"

"'Good-by?' Ah, no:
I hate," says he,
"These 'good-bys' so!"
"And I," says she,
"Detest them so -- why, I should die
Were this a real 'good-by'!"





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net