Never neglect to say goodbye

I say hello, later goodbye
I know that you will ask me why

Never neglect to say hello
Never neglect to say goodbye
That way you never lose a friend
Start well and that's how you should end

A friend will be there when you laugh
And therefore stay there when you cry
Make sure you always count two smiles
To compensate for when you sigh

One day, tomorrow you will die
So never forget to say goodbye.

Then when you reach the pearly gate
I guarantee you won't long wait
But you'll see friends you used to know
And they'll be glad to say hello.
-ends-
Copyright Angela Lansbury Jan 2020

Never neglect to nod hello

I always like to nod hello
To all folks as I come and go
It's what grand hotel workers do
It should apply to me and you

The Japanese enter your lift
Even if you don't have to shift
Their culture says smile, nod, 'Hell-low'
Chat, nod, 'Good boy,' when forced to go

My motive when I say hello
When off to swim I come and go
My physical and mental rule -
They'll watch if I drown in the pool!

But now that I've got in the habit
I do it like a programmed rabbit
My ritual's part of the scene
To leave it out looks odd and mean

The lady on security
Most days will answer waves from me
Today, head down, she was busy
That problem left me in a tizzy

Today she did not see me wave
I wondered if I ought to save
My bright, friendly, goodwill greeting
For another morning's meeting

But I decided it was no
I won't walk on, let this chance go
I shouted, 'Hello!' then, 'Good morning!'
She looked up, smiled, light was dawning

It worked. I felt good. Told you so
Never neglect to say hello
Greet neighbours as you walk along
It helps you feel that you belong.

I met a sweeper in the hall
Moving the dirt from wall to wall
He didn't have a mobile phone
He waved his mop, all alone

Today I added, "How've you bin?"
Got answered with a gap-toothed grin
He didn't have a lot to say
But I could tell I'd made his day.

'Not what you know but who you know'
Never neglect to say, 'Hello!'
-ends-
copyright Angela Lansbury 2020 Jan 24 Just before Chinese New Year

From Young To Old by Angela Lansbury

You run so fast from young to old
You run so fast from hot to cold
You run so fast from cold to hot
From yes I can to I cannot

Fast learn the skill of one who can
Watch folks fast change from woman to man
If you keep busy every day
How fast your life will pass away

You run so fast from cold to hot
From I remember to I forgot
You run so fast from rival to friend
You run so fast from start to end

You run so fast from hot to cold
You run so fast from young to old.

- ends-
Copyright Angela Lansbury

Friday 17 January 2020.