saying goodbye

a pantoum for Caleb, my nephew

I never, ever love in vain
so bitter tears now grace my eyes.
A babe I loved could not remain.
He died. I ache at his demise.

So bitter tears now grace my eyes
hiding the void behind the veil—
he died. I ache. At his demise
the universe is cold and frail.

Hiding the void behind the veil
within my heart where he should be.
The universe is cold and frail
and mem'ry’s all that’s left to me.

Within my heart where he should be—
no guilt, regret, just unfilled plans
and mem'ries. All that’s left to me.
He left before his life began.

No guilt, regret, just unfilled plans—
just five short days of love to know
he left. Before his life began . . .
I’d live it over, every blow.

Just five short days of love—to know
a babe I loved could not remain.
I’d live it over. Every blow.
I never, ever love in vain.

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