Farewell

From Their World, Three Worlds by Dai Pan (潘岱). Poem 21.

This is their world, after all,
where I once came, and then decided to leave.
I once approached the center, only hearing their voices.
I once felt isolated, confused,
But eventually found peace within the distance.
Confined beneath this vast sky,
I, therefore, should begin to say goodbye.
I have found my origin, my place,
And thus I journey toward future adventures.

I affirm that many people I will surely never see again,
So, there is no need to even begin these farewells.
Perhaps, in the minds, we hope to preserve —
Our best selves In that final, fleeting moment of meeting.
Many will inevitably leave or forget,
Silently forget to say goodbye.

Meanwhile, I walk a path lined with fresh flowers,
Steadily meeting what comes ahead,
Looking back only to leave behind one thing,
the solitary journey through their world,
Letting everything gradually say farewell,
In the passing of time, never to meet again.

Past successes, future hopes,
Must all bid farewell, one by one,
Until the day comes,
When you rack your brains but cannot recall my name,
Then, return as a complete person,
And in that moment, we shall meet again.

Bless You

Cite as: Dai Pan, "Farewell," Three Worlds, Their World, poem 21, 2025. https://daipan.ink/their-world/farewell

Their World 21

Farewell

This is their world, after all,
where I once came, // and then decided to leave.
I once approached the center, // only hearing their voices.
I once felt isolated, confused,
But eventually found peace within the distance.
Confined beneath this vast sky,
I, therefore, should begin to say goodbye.
I have found my origin, my place,
And thus I journey toward future adventures.

I affirm that many people // I will surely never see again,
So, there is no need // to even begin these farewells.
Perhaps, in the minds, // we hope to preserve —
Our best selves In that final, // fleeting moment of meeting.
Many will inevitably leave or forget,
Silently forget to say goodbye.

Meanwhile, I walk a path lined // with fresh flowers,
Steadily meeting what comes ahead,
Looking back only // to leave behind one thing,
the solitary journey through their world,
Letting everything gradually say farewell,
In the passing of time, // never to meet again.

Past successes, future hopes,
Must all bid farewell, one by one,
Until the day comes,
When you rack your brains // but cannot recall my name,
Then, return as a complete person,
And in that moment, // we shall meet again.

Bless You