A farewell

by Alfred Lord Tennyson — a poem card from Justes Mots

Tennyson's lyric captures the finality of separation through the metaphor of a cold rivulet flowing forever away, while nature persists in eternal cycles. The poem's repetition of 'for ever and for ever' emphasizes irrevocable departure and the permanence of loss. Its contemplative tone offers solace to those experiencing farewell or grief through acceptance of life's inevitable changes.

Flow down, cold rivulet, to the sea,
Thy tribute wave deliver:
No more by thee my steps shall be,
For ever and for ever.

Flow, softly flow, by lawn and lea,
A rivulet then a river:
Nowhere by thee my steps shall be…

Themes: sympathy · grief · reflection