Saying Goodbye For The Last Time Poem by Kim Barney

It's really hard saying goodbye
to these exceptional people.
Some of them travel thirty-six hours
by bus to arrive here.

They can only do this
every two or three months
because of the expense
and all the time involved.

They come in 'caravans'
on Monday afternoons
and stay all week, leaving
on Friday afternoon.

When are you coming back?
I asked someone today.
In November, my friend,
he said, I'll see you then.

But I'm leaving in October
so in my heart I know
we'll never meet again,
at least not in this life.

My eyes fill up with tears;
I cannot hold them back.
I have to leave, but want to stay.
Why does this have to be so hard?