GRADUATION DAY

Eventually
you’ll have to give up the ghost
accept defeat
dip your finger in the wind
and figure whither way the wind flows.

Someday,
you’ll see the forest from the trees
find the needle in the haystack
recognize the wisdom in the words
“when the going gets tough
the tough get going
– right out the door.”

You’ll get out of the kitchen.
You’ll see the light.
You’ll understand the truth of parables and Byrds singing
about seasons and times.

You’ll realize when it’s time to give up.
You’ll conceive of running away
to fight another day
but secretly accept that the other day
may never be seen.
You’ll discover discretion.
You’ll quit.
You’ll give up.

You will come to accept
what all mankind
has eventually uncovered:
that you will slow down
and diminish and die
and decay.
You will end,
you will see,
and soon.