The Human Puzzle
When spring turns to summer
and the roses quit their early bloom,
it is alumni-making time.
All over town students
enroute to becoming alumni.
Spread through the community
are older alumni
coming to celebrate
the anniversary of their becoming alumni.
They head to the hotel meeting-room
guarded by the name tag table
with undergraduate hosts who
help with pinning.
Soon screams of delight
come from the recognition
after 35 years of separation.
Hugs and simultaneous
questions and answers.
Everyone talking at once.
Glances at nametags
to be sure this really is
the best friend from years ago.
Excitement fills the room as
each new arrival is greeted.
Do you remember the day that…?
Were you there when…?
How lucky you are not to have aged.
What ever happened to…?
You sure are looking good.
Remember Mr. Wilson falling asleep
during my History report?
Who did you take to the prom?
Out come the old battered yearbooks.
Shared giggles at pictures
and comments written
so long ago.
Then the class memory machine
holds forth.
Trivia becomes building blocks.
Questions and comments
form a kaleidoscope
of 35 years ago.
Each piece of the puzzle
is soon in place.
The wonderful shared past
is reconstructed.
What a happy past invented.
None of the pain of youth.
None of the doubts.
None of the teacher put-downs.
No memory of romances
broken
Nor the telephone calls
to friends for support.
No deaths of friends and family
Nor is this a place
to remember parents.
Reunions are selective memories
of the good old days
when all was perfect
and we were young.
For one day that is the world
we will live in.
Doug Minnis May 19, 2010