Today's the Day

Before

Steve calls last night after arrival
from Hawaii, Uncle Sam gives him a weekend
in Florida. We're off to collect
the world traveller
in Tampa, take that bastard Interstate-4 up
to the Garden City. Later in the evening, Boo
will step up and receive
her sister's diploma during graduation
at the school named for an orange. They say
the first recipient of the memorial scholarship
will be announced after the slide show.
I hate this shit.



After

How it really was: bumper to bumper
for three hours. Classmates cheer
her memory, a crowd of her beautiful friends
embrace us. Victor speaks of the smile, the energy
the enthusiasm. The sister declines, so
the father takes the long walk (what did I do
to deserve a standing ovation?). Sometimes
your children humble you with their love. Angela
leads us to the Olympia for some of the best food
on the planet, the dancers stand tradition
on its head, we raise a toast
to the LoveLife Girl. Finally found Patrick
in a parlor on Colonial, so aunt and uncle can become
the newest members of the order
of the hidden tattoo. Back home
in the country by 3 a.m.
What's to hate?