Graduation

I never knew

what it would look like

how it would feel

and I guess I don't

yet.

I'm just a bystander

I'm just an observer

I'm just someone

    watching

        quietly

as beauty blooms.

It blooms

in the form

of black gowns

black caps

and fun dresses

peeking out from underneath.

It blossoms

in the form

of rambling speeches

and stories of long ago.

It grows

in the form

of names called

alphabetically

and diplomas received

solemnly.

And that beauty?

It grows

in the form

of two cousins

hugging

and crying

like nothing else matters.

I'm just a bystander

I'm just an observer

I'm just someone watching

as happiness

paints the spring air

and sadness

outlines it

with thick,

messy

strokes.

Graduation.