A Parting Guest
James Whitcomb Riley
What delightful hosts are they –
Life and Love!
Lingeringly I turn away,
This late hour, yet glad enough
They have not withheld from me
Their high hospitality.
So, with face lit with delight
And all gratitude, I stay
Yet to press their hands and say,
“Thanks. – So fine a time! Good night.”
About This Poem
A Parting Guest is a short poem by James Whitcomb Riley, an American writer known for his warm and accessible style. In just a few lines, it offers a gentle farewell, with the speaker seeming to thank life and love before quietly saying goodnight.
Its tone is calm and uplifting, making it a thoughtful choice for someone who faced the end of life with acceptance or gratitude. Because the poem is so brief, it can be used at almost any point in a funeral service, including as an opening reading or near the committal.
It may be especially fitting when remembering a parent, grandparent, partner or close friend. The poem’s simple message leaves space for reflection without asking too much of the moment.
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