Listening to a Commencement Speech

I am reminded of stopping
at the pull outs of super highways,
dusty roads in the middle of nowhere,
forced to get out of the back seat
of the Mustang along with the
other four children and read the
faded text on the dilapidated sign.
A badge of childhood.

I watch my son wriggling in his seat,

listening to the commencement

speaker drone on and on, we

both endure, wondering why we

inflict this upon ourselves on

a beautiful day in Spring.

A badge of accomplishment.

Badges, symbols of lives lived.