ultima

we almost never know
when we go
if the last will be the last
kiss
look
word
sigh
if this goodbye
will be the last
goodbye
i think it is so
to protect us though
else each farewell
would be too fraught
we would linger over long
on the ultima
as though it were the final note
of our song
long drawn out
to save us
from the terrible
sharp finished finality
of silence after denouement