Good -Bye, Good-Bye

"Are you the son of So and So?"

came asking me a man.

"Yes, Sir, please go in and sit,"

so saying in I ran.

He was old, his head was bald,

translucent glasses worn;

torn out clothes , and worn out smile

They marked a man all torn.

I had seen such lots of them

who come oft here and say

"It is a long time since we met,

with you I'm gonna to stay."

"Full am I with fruitless years

completing age eighty;

before I die and disappear

with old friends I wish to be."

So they say and stay for days

reminding the host of past;

when host's patience fades away

they bid good-bye -  their last.

A few months later they return

singing a different song

"My wife is dead; my sons are gone .  . ."

so saying they stay long.

Whate'er they speak is flattery

Spoken with nicety.

"See, Poverty makes me live

on friends' generosity."

Thus they get ten or fifteen

with which they soon go out.

This is such a one, I thought,

and called my grandpa out.

"Hallo, how are you dear friend?"

my grandpa shakes his hands.

While he begins to introduce

with tears the man there stands.

"When I was working in a school

he was my dear friend.

He worked his way up through his life

and now at journey's end."

"Friend," speaks he, "I have a foot in grave;

Before I die I wish to see

all my friends and kith and kin.

To see you I'm happy."

He stood a while, the while eyes spoke.

Speaks he then shaking my hands,

"Glad am I to see you son;

I march to other lands."

Heart of heartS I cursed him hard,

for he might milk money.

"Good-bye, Good-bye," says he at once,

and walks out unlike many.

No words of persuasion could

deter him from his way.

A few days later sad news came

that he had passed away.

When mind was bent on repentence

my heart sent out long sighs;

when words of prayer went from mouth

a tear escaped my eyes.

----OOO000OOO---