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'Twas the Night Before Commencement |
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'Twas the night before commencement, when all through the school, Not a student was stirring, not even the cool. The chairs were lined up at the stadium with care, In hopes that the weather would be sunny and clear.
The graduates were nestled all snug in their beds, While dreams of employment danced in their heads. With Mom in pink rollers and Dad in his cap, The family settled down for a brief springtime nap.
Early the next morning there arose such a clatter, As students' dress shoes and high heels made a patter. "Off to Foreman," they shouted, and flew like a flash, Charging onto the field, to their seats they did dash.
The sun shone down brightly on the artificial lawn, The little kids squealed, while the old-timers yawned, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But the grand platform party coming ever so near.
With a beatific smile and voice quite resonant, I knew in a moment it must be the president. More rapid than eagles her followers they came, And she waved and nodded, and called them by name:
"Now, David! Now, Robert! Now, Dana and John! On, Bruce! On, William! On Cheryl and Tom! To the top of the stage! To the head of the line! Now hurry dear people, for it's almost that time!"
And then, in a twinkling, I heard with my ears The rustling and shuttling of robes drawing near. As I opened the program and was turning to look, I saw the faculty each open their book.
The speaker, in silk from his head to his toe, Surveyed the scene and was ready to go; A notepad of pages he had flung on the stand, I never had seen a sight quite so grand.
His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples were many, His hair the color of a new copper penny! His mouth was all round, full of shining white teeth, And his beard framed his face like a fresh Christmas wreath.
The crowd noise fell from its crescendo-like peak As the guest cleared his throat and prepared for to speak. All eyes were upon him as he "opened the fount," He had only 10 minutes, each word had to count.
He was witty and funny, a right pleasant old fellow, And the students listened closely - no need for a pillow. The smile on his face as he addressed the large crowd, Soon gave me to know their response would be loud.
He spoke with precision and drew us all closer, Filling our heads with hope for the future; And laying his hand on his chest, near his heart, He gave a quick nod as he prepared to depart.
He sprang to his seat, after giving a bow, While the audience stood, applauded, and how! But I heard him exclaim, ere he ducked out of sight, "Be the best you can be - now go and take flight!" |
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