Parting

Even the sun must leave us,  
and bow before the greying times  
between worlds of night and day;

Then even the night must leave us  
when colors return, the dew is gone,  
and beauty takes the breath of eyes away.

And all must endure parting,  
a given sorrow, a condition of life:  
the ordained and chosen Way.

For if not good-bye, how hello?  
If not distance, how reunion?  
Without going, how to come and stay?

I drink the sweet poison,  
now turning my fingers numb,  
in order that, knowingly, I may say:

Everything divided must rejoin --  
else the meaning of our separation  
would not give such cause to pray.