Graduation Poem

Sometimes it's good to write a sentimental poem (some would call it hallmarkish) for an occasion. Especially on this occasion. I'm posting this for the record. I gave it to her last night at the restaurant in the North End.

A Graduation Sonnet: For What It’s Worth
Written this 19-May-2005 on the occasion
of my daughter’s graduation (MA)
in which I tell her what I’ve found
out about the “real world” after 52
years and countless errors as she
begins her own uncharted journey there.

We glide across the academic pond
like visitors on swan boats, magical
inviting vehicles that carry us
from one shore, green with youthful vibrancy,
to some unknown, yet undiscovered shore,
where time will tell us what the flora is.
There’s some who swear the native growth is gold
or silver, paper currency or plastic.
There’s some who think the world is just a fiction,
poetic creation filled with metaphor
and fog. There’s some religious, some profane;
there’s some who think that up is down or wrong
is right or something down is up above.
I think the world is blood and guts and love.