as is once, will always be

together alone, shallow and deep,
holding our breath, paying death no heed;
I am still your friend when you are in need —
as is once, will always be,
earth and sky, moon and sea

The French have a phrase for it. The bastards have a phrase for everything and they are always right. To say goodbye is to die a little.

— from The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler —