Graduation
written by: Ricky Hawthorne
Encased in his scooter
Negotiating a narrow channel between
Applause and abhorrence, his
Un-pressed gown draped awkwardly like
A sloppy undertaker’s curtain
Soothed by a spectrum of non-pejorative light rippling
Over him; Mother at bedtime, but less pitiable
He apologizes to a young man
Standing in front of him,
For stabbing his arse with one of his stumps;
He feigns embarrassment
But I spy him giggling
On cue the old Dean hobbles to greet him
And he wheels gracefully through the space between,
His prize thrust quickly, under his arm like a bather’s towel
Unwrapped
Outside I wander haphazardly looking to
Congratulate my eldest girl and nearly fell over him,
His cap on the floor
A dusty footprint bedecking the laurel wreath
I pick it up tucking it between his torso
And the chair rest
Another award
Another biped mumbling “Well done”
“Thank you” he replied and then saving me, “Isn’t that your daughter
Standing over there?”
Graduate of Warwick University
Triple honors in Literature, Theater and Film
- Graduation - June 9, 2025
- Dressed Lamb - March 4, 2025
- Detonation - September 14, 2023
