class of 2020

june third, twenty twenty.

a thunderous voice pronounces my name.

i exit my car and as i walk

the breeze lightly brushes my hair and tassel.

the sun’s rays warm my face and caress my eyelashes.

this is it.

this is the moment i’ve been waiting for.

i almost start to cry because

look how far we’ve come.

Once upon a time

I was a girl.

A lanky barely-teenager with a too-short and poorly-maintained haircut.

Who wore sweatpants and sweatshirts every day to school.

Who never belonged.

Who itched for more.

Look how far we’ve come.

I am a woman.

A leggy seventeen-year old with a flat-ironed bob and careful makeup.

Who wears a tasteful white dress with a sprinkle of southern style.

Who belongs.

Who owns this moment.

I will say it again:

Look how far we’ve come.

Welcome to the next chapter.

Welcome to the new.