Ciao, Adios, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu
To NaPoWriMo we must say
a fond “Goodbye” on this last day.
I‘m able to, for I have found
the strength to say it the whole world round.
When I was young, I traveled far
from Germany to Zanzibar.
Australia, Bali, France and Spain,
to Africa and back again.
And though I mostly loved them all,
from Venice to the Taj Mahal,
as my departure time grew nigh
I had to voice a sad goodbye.
To Ethiopia I strayed.
For eighteen months I stayed and stayed;
and when I had to leave too soon,
I had to say “dehena hun.”
In college days, when I was young,
German was my foreign tongue;
but when to Frankfurt wir mussten gehen
I just remembered, “Auf Wiedersehen.”
The French were rude and cold and snotty.
They mocked my accent and were haughty,
so while I had to bid “adieu,”
I’d have preferred to say, “pee-ew.”
Florence thrilled me from the start.
Their lasagna is a work of art.
When I left, they all said, “Ciao.”
Their kitties, though, all said, “Miao.”
I never went to Israel
but nonetheless, I’m proud to tell,
the rabbi books? Read every tome.
So I know how to say “Shalom.”
Though “Arigato” is bound to do
when you want to say thank you,
“Sayonara” is the way to go
to bid farewell in Tokyo.
Bali’s full of dance and art
that treat your eyes and fill your heart.
I must admit, I had a ball
before I said “Selamat tinggal.”
Mexico was saved for last
And now I fear my lot is cast
Since “Adios” I cannot say,
I’ve decided I will stay!
(for the sake of pronunciation, I have taken the liberty of adding an extra “e” to “dehna hun.”)
You might have already guessed that on this last day of the NaPoWriMo challenge, the prompt was to write a farewell poem.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Glad to read you are staying. 🙂
Audrey
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Of course. Awaiting your return.
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And you left us with a smile. Thanks for a wonferful month of Judy/Remi.
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Thanks, Patti. You are the very first to read this one.
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I’m mildly tempted to say ‘good riddance’ to it all, but I’ll be okay in a day or two. 😉 Challenge met, Judy. Well done!
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Great month! I’m cross-eyed, but who cares? Not me! Really glad you were along for the ride, Judy.
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Congratulations, Judy! You creatively rise to the challenge. In SHE, I could see and hear your mother, Pat. Great tribute.
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From what I hear others say, your evaluation of the French is pretty accurate. Your sense of humor, rhyme, and word choice took me from country to country–and had me waving goodbye. Think you really will stay in Mexico?
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I think I probably will, but things other than our own determination and wishes sometimes lead us. Friends who have gone back to the states usually do so for health reasons. We shall see.
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