Last night I went to a banquet.
These events are long.
Always on a school night when I have a million things to do.
I got there,
a little late a chair waiting for me. Held by long-time parent friends.
Her name was called as were the familiar names that line her current world.
Study and work out buddies, club committee members, longtime classmates, clothing and hair approval friends.
And there were names of former students
The “mom do you remember your student…” names.
I do.
Different from your own child. You loose touch and can only imagine.
Those names move on.
Those names that lined my life years ago
and were dreamed for. Worried for.
Taken home knowing I have a small part in what this person will become
move on.
I felt the weight of my presence in their moments long ago.
Last night, I watched from a distance. Heard their name, heard their speech.
Felt a bit of pride in the young almost adult on the stage. They were beaming. Acknowledged.
The ones you held close
move on
not looking back.
The ones you’ve lost sleep over
dreamed for
move on
joyfully
not looking back.
These celebrations make my heart twist.
you move on
But last night, I joyfully looked back.
Thank you, Two Writing Teacher for the Slice of Life March Challenge. This is day 4 of 31, a Friday. Find other slicers posts here.
This year on Fridays, I’m attempting to slice a bit of poetry and linking into KidLitosphere’s Poetry Friday. Find this week’s hosted by Linda Baie on her blog Teacher Dance.
To Read To Write To Be 