After tonight, you won't have to come back.

 

As you stand in this line of red and white,

it doesn't seem real.

The music has started, and the line

s l o w l y

shuffles forward.

Kelly, Shaylee, then your turn.

 

You'll hardly stop grinning this entire night,

as you see those you've known since who can say

get handed the indication of growing up.

 

Then you say your speech:

it is not long, like people thought, short, to the point, but 

you didn't have much to say.

Besides, it's hot in this gym.

 

Val and Sal, you and Alyssa, walk out

side       by       side,

and you leap and run ecstatically after exiting.

 

You don't cry at all, even when you remember 

that this may be

the last you see

of them.

 

"We did it, guys.

Well done."