GoodBye

Goodbye etymologically perhaps can be traced to the contraction "God Be with Ye(You)". The knowledge worms say that good bye was associated with a pious form of valediction. I guess today it is a carelessly thrown formulaic code. Guess when the Pilgrims sailed to America, it was a novel word to the English language. But how many goodbyes are made without such knowledge? When I stepped out of nursery I kissed plants flowering and non flowering goodbye. I didn't know then I could also just contract my grief and say 'god be with you'.  I hated goodbyes. I hated watching birds return home. I just knew they were looking down and saying that much hated word. I hated moments when beggars left the doorstep after alms giving. I hated watching passengers disembark the trains. I felt such sadness when unknown fellow travellers got down at different stations and the rest of us still travelled. I hated it when it was time for guests to leave. I hated those farewell parties at schools and colleges. And I refrain from using the word whenever I can. Not that I don't want God to be with the other person but then whenever I can I just substitute with okay, Righto,thank you, mere silence or a half hearted b..ye. I love saying hellos but then goodbyes contract me within. And the many goodbyes made in the mind walk down with me, sometimes beside me, never away from me. Perhaps that is why I never like seeing my shadow.