You never said goodbye

Not this time, nor any time;

You first plunged into my life so early on

You stayed awhile, not long, and then you fled again.

Throughout the years you would re-appear

Like some wil-o-the-wisp

Bouncing into our lives and then

Without warning – you would be gone again.

We were like children

Treading the boards of real life

With alternate joy and apprehension

Shaping our dreams, daring to be brave,

Doubting our skills, yet holding hands to steady ourselves.

Still, you were a mystery to me

For out of a joyous day, suddenly

Anger could rise, confusion, mayhem

And in a moment you would turn and be gone again.

So many times, so many comings and goings over so many years

But you never said goodbye, it was not your way.

You were intermittently a part of my story

And that still carries on –

So, no goodbye today, my friend,

No goodbye today!