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Goodbye poems help us find the right words when it is time to say farewell. Whether you are saying goodbye to a friend, a loved one, or someone beginning a new chapter, may these heartfelt verses express what is in your heart.
Updated November 10, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
From short farewell poems for friends to comforting verses about love and loss, these poems remind us that goodbyes are not always endings. As the poem Think Of Me reminds us, friendship and memories remain even when we are apart.
Sometimes a few simple words can express more than a long speech. These short verses are ideal for sharing in a card or message.
Saying goodbye is never easy
Actually, it makes me queasy
So let's just say see ya later
Keep in touch by email or notepaper.
Goodbyes seem like the end
But we will always be friends
We may be separated by miles
Just say keep in touch and smile!
Why does good appear
When goodbye means I disappear
What's the good in not seeing you
It just means that I will be blue.
I think goodbye should drop the good
Just "bye" would be better understood
So from now on the good is gone
And only "bye" will be my song.
Farewell, so long
Means I am gone
Today, tomorrow
Leaving brings sorrow.
See ya around
The words they sound
Like goodbye
I say with a sigh!
May smiles greet you along the way,
And sunshine brighten every day.
Though now we part, our friendship stays,
Until we meet on brighter days.
Saying goodbye to a dear friend can be difficult. These poems celebrate friendship and the memories that keep us close even when miles separate us.
Dear friend, 'tis hard to say farewell,
And harder yet it is to tell,
In parting words, how strong the tie
We sever now in this good-bye.
We all shall miss thy gentle grace.
Thy willing hand and cheerful face;
No other friend thy place can fill.
Though absent we shall claim thee still;
God bless the work thou hast begun,
And guard thee in the years to come.
And when thy heart is weary, or alone.
Come back and rest in this thy home.
Ever mayst thou happy be,
Life holds precious gifts for thee;
E'en if now a shadow lay
Around thy heart - 'twould pass away.
Ne'er forget the friend you leave
On Huron's shore, and believe
Regretfully I part from thee.
Yours very sincerely.
Today I come to say goodbye
I will miss you, I can't deny
But as I move to another town
Leaving you makes me frown.
I will stay in touch, I promise that
I will call you often and we will chat.
It won't be the same I know
But we can call and say hello.
So I won't say goodbye, I'll say so long
You're a friend indeed, one who is lifelong
The bonds we share will never break
We will keep in touch, of that, there is no mistake.
Reader, "Adieu!" — I will not say "farewell!"
That word, full-fraught with sorrow as a knell,
Breathes forth a strain of sadness to mine ear,
And is too often mother to a tear!
"Adieu!" speaks hopeful that we yet may meet
And with each other hold communion sweet.
If aught that I have said doth give thee cheer
I've made a friend of thee — and friends are dear!
In this stern world of ours each friend we gain
Makes life more sweet, and helps to soothe life's pain!
Remember, then, dear friend, before we part,
These simple strains are from a glowing heart
That seeks to find an echo to its voice
In heart of thine — and, finding that, rejoice!
The pleasant hours have past,
And I must now return;
Tis hard to say good-bye,
But the lesson we must learn. . . .
Read the entire poem, Sometimes Think Of Me
Fare thee well, my heart is weary
The sunshine fades, the clouds remain
And all around seems dark and dreary.
Until I see thee once again.
Yet I would never mar thy gladness,
A fond farewell, and happy be;
Forgive thy little friend her sadness,
As all the world is fair to thee.
Some goodbyes bring tears and others remind us of the love we have shared. May these poems offer comfort when parting is difficult.
When lovers part at eventide
To meet again tomorrow,
With laughing lips and backward glance,
Undimmed by thought of sorrow,
Ah, then, as glows the sickle moon,
And soft distils the dew,
What other word so fitting sweet
As, "Love, adieu, adieu"?
When true friends part whose lives in one,
Like rippling streamlets blended,
As clinging hands and tearful eyes
Bespeak that all is ended,
Ah, then beneath life's summer noon,
Or autumn's stormier sky,
What word so fond on friendship's lips
As, "Friend, good-by, good-by"?
When o'er some life knit to our own
Death's darkness settles stilly,
As fades the love-light from the eyes,
And falls the clasped hand chilly;
With raining tears and aching loss
That tears may not dispel,
The tortured heart throbs to the lips,
"Farewell, beloved farewell."
Goodbye is the word we often say
When people leave for work for a day
But when we say goodbye forever
We realize we are no longer together.
Goodbyes can be so hard
Sometimes leaving us scarred
But time has a way of healing things
Life has more hello's to bring.
So while you may feel sad today
Keep moving forward it will be okay
Express your feelings and even cry
You will feel better as time goes by.
Hello and goodbye are two words we use a lot
One is welcome and the other when we part
The best is always the hello's
Some say it quiet, others often bellow.
But goodbyes are no fun
Especially with a special one.
Why is the word "good" included in a bye
I often wonder about this with a sigh.
They say there is good in everything
But oftentimes goodbye sadness brings.
May life bring hellos a lot more
And let the goodbyes go without keeping score.
Why should I say goodbye, my dear?
Why should I say goodbye?
I am only going a little way
Over the hills, and only a day,
Only a sleep, with a dream, and then,
When morn breaks rosily up the glen,
With blackbird, and throstle, and lark,
I'll come again,
And wait till the bird of the dark
Outwarbleth the song of the lark.
And wooeth the moon from the dark,
And lifteth our souls on high, my dear:
So, why should I say goodbye, my dear?
Why should I say goodbye?
Why should I say goodbye, my dear?
Why should I say goodbye?
I go, yet still I'll be with thee,
And staying here, thou shalt be with me!
Ah! nought can part us: and when the night
Flies from the dreaming rose, and the light
Hath kindled in flashes of song,
Love in his might
Shall fold us from terror and wrong
In the murmuring garden of song;
For song hath no kindred with wrong,
But only with love that is high, my dear:
So why should I say goodbye, my dear?
Why should I say goodbye?
When love changes or life takes us in different directions, saying goodbye can be painful. These verses reflect on love, memories, and finding the courage to move forward.
The time has come to say goodbye,
Though my heart still asks me why.
The love we shared was pure and true,
Yet now we part, just me and you.
The laughter, joy, and dreams we made,
Are memories that will never fade.
But paths diverge, we must move on,
A chapter closed, yet love once shone.
No anger here, no bitter tears,
Just quiet love that lasts through years.
Though distance grows, and time will pass,
In my heart, you'll always last.
So take your road, and I’ll take mine,
May happiness in your life shine.
Though love may change, one thing stays true -
I’ll always hold the best of you.
Come here and take my hand
And press my lips,
Just for today —
To-morrow I'm away;
With pulsing heart
And quickened feet
I'll tread another street;
And in the toils
Of duty's net
I may sometimes forget
You for awhile,
And this sweet day
In life's all stormy way;
And oft I'll know
The want of heart
Again life's work to start,
So press my lips
Just for today —
To-morrow I'm away.
What we had was something unique
Similar to a special antique.
I wish I didn't have to leave
Life without you is hard to conceive.
Life without you won't be the same
But I do hereby proclaim
I wish you luck and much happiness
But leaving is sad, regardless.
Letting go is never easy to do,
But holding on can burden you.
The past is done, the page must turn,
A lesson lived, a bridge to burn.
Though love once shone so bright and true,
The seasons change, as we must too.
No bitter words, no angry heart,
Just faith to know it's time to part.
So step ahead, don’t turn around,
New hope and peace will soon be found.
For letting go is not the end,
But where new dreams begin again.
Though we must part and say goodbye,
Please don’t forget, don’t let love die.
The moments shared, the laughter too,
Will always stay in me and you.
Our journey took a different turn,
Yet in my heart, love still will burn.
No anger here, no deep regret,
Just memories I won’t forget.
So when you think of days gone by,
Know love was real, that’s not a lie.
Though life moves on, one thing stays true,
I’ll always hold the best of you.
Farewell! but when roses shed their perfume o'er thee,
At twilight's sweet hour, sacred to love.
Search thy memory's dark vaults, for remembrance of me,
And find the charms, which thy bright eyes wove;
And then if thou canst, oh, dispel that strange power
Which has doomed me their captive to be!
For afar from those orbs, a faithful sunflower,
My poor heart will be turning to thee. . . .
Read the entire poem, Farewell! But When Roses
May these poems and blessings offer faith, peace, and encouragement to someone beginning a new chapter.
May sunshine brighten all your days,
May peace be with you on your way.
Through highs and lows, through joy and strain,
Know that blessings still remain.
Though goodbyes bring a touch of sorrow,
Hope will greet you in tomorrow.
So walk in faith, be strong, be true—
God’s love will always follow you.
A blessing from the bible that is a good one to use when someone is leaving.
May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.
As you go, take love along,
Let courage keep your heart so strong.
May laughter meet you on the way,
And kindness fill each passing day.
Though miles may stretch and time may fly,
True friendship never says goodbye.
With faith and hope, new doors will show —
God’s grace will lead where you must go.
May God's peace surround your way,
As you step into a brand-new day.
Though parting brings a hint of pain,
In Christ, we’ll surely meet again.
May His hand guide your every stride,
With angels walking by your side.
In moments when the road seems long,
His strength will keep your spirit strong.
His blessings fall like gentle rain,
To wash away your fear and strain.
He holds your future in His care,
So trust His love is always there.
Though now we say goodbye, my friend,
In faith, we know it's not the end.
For where you go, His grace will be,
And in His love, we'll always see.
"Good-bye! good-bye!" what kindly words,
As they fall on the parting ear,
Like the singing of summer birds,
With their wonderful power to cheer;
Their meaning true —
"God-be-with-you!"
With kiss and sigh —
"Good-bye! good-bye!" . . . .
Read the entire poem, Good-bye Means Not Farewell
From the end of a school year to retirement and the start of a new year, life gives us many occasions to say farewell.
A short goodbye poem written by a Teacher to her students as the school year ends.
Now, little children, you and I
Have walked beneath the autumn sky;
With old Jack Frost in wintry land
We've gone together hand in hand.
In spring we've plucked the daffodil
And buttercup on every hill;
And now in summer you and I
Must close the book and say goodbye.
My fairest child, I have no song to give you;
No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;
Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you
For every day.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
Do noble things, not dream them, all day long:
And so make life, death, and that vast forever
One grand, sweet song.
A little work, a little play
To keep us going - and so, good-day!
A little warmth, a little light
Of love's bestowing - and so, good-night!
A little fun, to match the sorrow
Of each day's growing - and so, good-morrow!
A little trust that when we die
We reap our sowing! And so - good-bye!
Goodbye, old year, your time is through,
You’ve given joys and trials too.
Some days were bright, some filled with rain,
Yet through it all, we learned from pain.
The clock moves on, we can’t delay,
A brand-new year is on its way.
With hope in heart, we face the dawn,
Embracing all that lies beyond.
So thank you, year, for what you gave,
For lessons learned and memories saved.
We say goodbye, but not with fear,
For brighter days wait in the year.
If you would like more comforting words for parting moments, these popular pages share poems and quotes you can use in cards, letters, and messages.
When you are searching for the right words to say farewell, our Goodbye Quotes offer thoughtful and comforting messages you can easily share.
Even in times of parting, you can find encouragement in our Poems About Hope that remind you brighter days are ahead.
For moments of transition and celebration, our Graduation Farewell Poems capture both memories and new beginnings.
As one chapter ends and another begins, our New Year Poems encourage hope and fresh starts.
When saying goodbye to someone dear, our Funeral Poems offer gentle words of comfort and remembrance.
During difficult goodbyes, our Keep Your Head Up Quotes remind you to stay strong and keep moving forward.
Goodbyes are a part of life, and finding the right words is not always easy. May these goodbye poems help you express your feelings, share a special memory, or offer encouragement to someone beginning a new chapter.
Remember, saying goodbye does not mean forgetting. The love, laughter, and memories we share remain in our hearts. Whether your farewell is for a short time or forever, may you find comfort in the memories and hope in the days ahead.
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