There Is No Word For Goodbye

Do you remember the first time you lost someone? Living means losing the people you love sometimes. 
There's no way around it. 

I hope when you read this poem, written by an Alaskan woman and gratefully shared with me by a friend and writer, you will never forget it. I hope it will bring you comfort in the times when you must let go and in the times, like today, when you have the chance to say thank you for the precious people who grace your life.  

Happy American Thanksgiving, with love
kj 

THERE IS NO WORD FOR GOODBYE

by Mary Tall Mountain

Sokoya, I said, looking through

the net of wrinkles into

wise black pools

of her eyes.

What do you say in Athabascan

when you leave each other?

What is the word

for goodbye?

A shade of feeling rippled

the wind-tanned skiin.

Ah, nothng, she said,

watching the river flash.

She looked at me close.

We just say, Tiaa. That means

See you.

We never leave each other.

When does your mouth

say goodbye to your heart?

She touched me light

as a bluebell.

You forget when you leave us,

You’re so small then.

We don’t use that word.

We always think you’re coming back, 

but if you don’t, we’ll see you someplace else.

You understand.

There is no word for goodby