The Saddest Words

The saddest words you'll hear me say
Are "Once upon a time . . ."
Once upon a time we laughed,
Were friends once, for a time.
And now this constant, empty chime,
Rings, "Once.  Upon.  A time."

And only one phrase sadder still,
Can form a deeper sigh.
The only thing to batter more
And haunt, an endless cry . . .
The thing that sours each good-bye . . .
Is always, simply,


“Why?”