THE LIFE OF A MORTARBOARD
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By choice, I am a college graduate’s mortarboard
Scared of heights, free falling, afraid even more
Upon the graduate’s head, so proud to be
I fear being tossed, released and set free
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With caps and gowns, what a grand site
I’m perched atop, with my tassel so bright
To heights I’ll be tossed is drawing near
The coming launch that occurs stirs my fear
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Through years of pain and midnight oil
I’ve witnessed your growth from sweat and toil
You wear me proudly with grace and pride
A symbol of strength with knowledge on your side
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From late-night cramming to exams drawing near
The fabric of life stitched and stories woven here
Whispers of dreams yet you have so bold
Ready, willing and yearning to be told
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Into the air your dreams ascend, as aspirations build
Each cap a wish, a toss, a chance, a story to be filled
As the sky catches your dreams, like thoughts strewn about
You celebrate the path you’ve walked, with no doubt
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My tassel is bright, my edges are neat
All I want is no tossing, just stay in your seat
If you do fling me, make sure that I’m found
Please don’t leave me behind lying on the ground
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If you toss me and it’s windy, I’ll take flight
As you are aware, heights are my greatest fright
If the wind blows, you will watch me soar
A square kite, caught in the wind’s mighty roar
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If you sling me high, when the toss begins
A flight of joy for you, but for me, a scary end
In the dawn of a new beginning you will stand
A symbol of knowledge, with diploma in hand
You symbolize the moment, it’s so grand
I’m so proud to have been your biggest fan
Lessons learned and friendships made
The hope in your future is on display
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Celebrating achievement, diploma for the wall
Embracing a world of change, standing tall
A major stride toward adulthood’s gate
Welcoming your destiny and your fate
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The time has now come, get ready to throw
No! Don’t do it! please tell me it is not so
You threw me the highest, didn’t catch me coming down
You just left me lying flattened on the barren ground
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What was I thinking, out of my mind
Like many students, the wrong major I find
A very poor choice that I have made
Should been a mortarboard for bricks being laid
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Brick layers do not toss their boards in the air
Safe and respected, I’d been treated with care
A lesson I learned, being so afraid of flight
God said, ‘low I’ll be with you always day and night’.
Note: God really said: “Lo”, not ‘low’, —- he’s just a mortarboard.
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