“One Call, Many Goodbyes”

A Journey Through School, College, Work, and the People Who Stayed.

It started with a call one day.
A voice from work, not far away.
“Just checking in,” they gently said.
Suddenly, the past opened up.

I smiled.
I'm married now, and life has moved on.
But some old bonds never fade.
That one small talk, so brief and kind,
Unlocked a world I had left behind.

School friends�"those innocent years,
Of stolen pens and secret tears.
We grew up slowly, with scraped-up knees,
And found joy in simple things.

They knew the child I used to be,
The laugh I had, completely carefree.
Though distance came and life expanded,
A part of me remained with them.

Then college came, a brand new group,
The messy, wild, all-nighter bunch.
We weren’t the same, but oh, the spark!
The dreams we chased in the dancing dark.

They saw me fall and helped me rise.
They questioned truths and broke lies.
The connections we made in the hostel haze
Still live in me in quiet ways.

Then came the job�" that weekday rhythm,
Deadlines, chats, and takeaway meals.
Another world, another tribe,
With shared goals and a quiet vibe.

We laughed through meetings and shared our fears.
We survived those stressful project years.
Some stayed close like you, my friend,
Even after the changes, the end.

And here we are, still somehow near,
Though months may pass with little to hear.
That call reminded me so well
Of all the lives I carry with me.

So here’s to school, to college nights,
To office hours and friendship lights.
To every bond that shaped my path
Different people, yet all still stay.

Farewell isn’t really “goodbye,” you see,
You all live on inside of me.

Author's Note

A few days ago, I got a call from an old office colleague. What began as a casual chat turned into a heartfelt one-hour conversation.

After the call, I sat in silence, realizing how much time has passed. From carefree school days to college adventures, from office deadlines to wedding vows, life had quietly shifted.

That moment stayed with me. It reminded me how people, places, and phases change. Yet some connections, no matter how distant, bring back a flood of memories with just one phone call.

They say a good writer finds an opportunity in everything, and that’s exactly what I’m doing here. I’m finding my little moments and turning them into words. Sometimes, even a simple “hello” can inspire a story where goodbye truly matters.

Reviews

[Relic]

It's amazing how our lives are shaped by the people we grow up with. They usually move away as we get older becoming like distant family members. But those calls...those brought up memories and mention of friends are all worth it when the phone call ends. It makes us feel as good as sun on a flower.

Great poem, Neha. :)

[Neha agrawal]

Thank you relic, true a single call may rewind life's best moments that we shared once.

[.]

Aww! Such beautiful memories and seeing the life like a movie... It's so strange to think someone from your past knows a version of you that you don't have it anymore and probably they still thinks you are like that. You are a frozen version of that time in someone else's mind... You did a great job on finding a beautiful opportunity to write this poem down. Meaningful and made me think... I'll just say hello to an old friend to remember who I was before. Thank you for sharing!

[Neha agrawal]

That’s such a lovely thought like opening a little time capsule of yourself. I’m glad it made you reflect. Thank you for reading 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

There are always so many to thank for helping to get us where we are in life. And if we have any gratitude in us, we remember each one of them with a special fondness.
A Nice "thank you" poem here.
j.

[Neha agrawal]

Thank you for the review ☺

[Pallavi]

That's beautiful!
Haven't really gone that far in life, still in the college phase. Those little moments are definitely worth the wait.
And the way u described the events in your life is so good and so relatable.

[Neha agrawal]

Thank you pallavi☺

[Kady R.]

Hiiii Neha,

Thanks for sharing another wonderful poem!!! It brought back memories of me and my friends going to hollywood at night, the beach together at night, concerts also at night (you know when school was over during the day). Now the nights have a wonderfully nostalgic feeling for me.

This poem brought me back to the good times in high school. And its true everyone is married and with families but those times do stay and they make for great conversations together.

Thanks for sharing Nehaaa!!!!

[Neha agrawal]

Awww thank you so much! That means a lot. I’m so glad it brought back those amazing memories for you. High school nights really were something special!

[Kady R.]

Welcome!!🤗🤗🥰🥰I know right!! Amazing night lit skys filled with memories among the stars.

[Neha agrawal]

Truly said ☺☺

[Michael Sun Bear]

Well done. You did find opportunity, you seized it and wrote a very touching tribute. I have entered my seventh decade of life; college was so long ago, so many different jobs come and gone, friends lost through death or relocation, lovers remembered fondly or not. You can imagine all the memories you stirred up for me!

[Neha agrawal]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that. It truly means a lot to hear. I'm touched that it brought back so many memories for you.