ELEGIAC: "UNEXPECTED GOODBYE- THE PAIN THAT ACHES ONCE A YEAR" BY NIEL.

Dedicated to those who lose their loved ones along the journey of life.

The goodbye we never wished to say,

The tears we never intended to shed,

The voice that ends unannounced,

The pain that keeps aching. 

The role left behind,

The burden we are meant to carry,

The pain that keeps us distant from the world. 

When will I see you again?

Heaven gains, the world loses.

The mind drifts,

So shattered like a piece of metal.

A pen can express all my grief,

But my soul keeps repeating the sorrow,

Every year, reminding me of the sad day

That will haunt me till I am no more.

Here is my gratitude to you.

Keep singing with the angels

Till we meet again.

©Niel

- Nigeria 

“Unexpected Goodbye” by Niel is an elegiac poem that explores the pain, grief, and emotional emptiness that follow the unexpected death of a loved one. The poet reflects on the painful farewell that no one wishes to experience, emphasizing the tears, silence, and sorrow that accompany the sudden loss of someone dear. The death leaves behind responsibilities and an emotional burden that makes it difficult for the bereaved to reconnect with the world.

The poet expresses the longing to see the deceased again and presents death as a painful exchange in which “Heaven gains, the world loses.” The loss deeply affects the mind and soul, leaving the speaker shattered and unable to escape the memories of the departed. Although writing provides an avenue for expressing grief, the sorrow remains deeply rooted in the poet's soul. The pain is further intensified by the yearly remembrance of the day the loved one died.

In essence, “Unexpected Goodbye” is a heartfelt reflection on bereavement, remembrance, and the enduring nature of grief. The poet acknowledges that although the deceased is gone from the physical world, their memory continues to live on in the hearts of those left behind. The poem concludes with gratitude and a hopeful farewell, as the poet imagines the departed person singing with the angels until they meet again.