One Good-Bye

we said good-bye
and the universe
sighed as the words
fell from our mouths.
it was for the best
this good-bye filled
with love and hurt
for the poison was
dripping.
the great intake of
breath when all things
are silently waiting
for the exhale.
we said good-bye
wrapping the death shawl
around our shoulders
to cut the chill
in our bones.
the good-bye filled
with love and hurt
are the parting words
of spurned lovers
jadded friends
unrelinquished pain
not yet discovered
forgiveness.
the goodbye filled
with love and hurt
the collision of
want and revulsion.
we said goodbye
to fulfill the required
social grace though
the sentiment was lost
to insincerity and anger.
we said goodbye
behind our masks
of cordiality
knowing full well
we were both wishing
not to be in the other's
prescence.
the burden of knowing
you was lifted
leaving the faintest
image of you to haunt
the remainder of
my days.
we said goodbye
and the universe
sighed as the words
fell from our mouths.