Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A GOOD-BY by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: GOOD-BY, MY FRIEND!'
Last Line: "WERE THIS A REAL 'GOOD-BY'!"
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 @3ought@1 to smile -- but I --
Forgive me -- @3There!@1 -- Good-by!"

"'Good-by?' Ah, no:
I hate," says he,
"These 'good-bys' so!"
"And @3I,"@1 says she,
"Detest them so -- why, I should @3die@1
Were this a @3real@1 'good-by'!"



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