A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

by John Donne (1633) — a poem card from Justes Mots

The great consolation for parting: two souls are not divided by distance but stretched, like gold, finer.

As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."

So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;
'Twere profanation of our joys…

Themes: long-distance · love