School Reunion

When I first heard, I had to go;
I gave no thought to saying "No!"
Reclaiming moments of locker'd halls;
Update the memories of those recalled.

Images of friends slip though my mind;
I pause and wondered if they're fine;
Who else would go; who would I know;
Would Verna Mae attend this show.

In youth, we don't reflect so very long,
We strive ahead, and soon we're gone
To chase a dream, or catch a star,
As some stay close and some move far.

We made our choice, had our say;
The faces fade, as they're replaced;
But, here's our chance to touch the past,
It's school reunion time at last.

I didn't recognize a single guest,
They'd put on masks, you had to guess,
For no one had a name tag on,
And, no one seemed to look as young.

Then at last, someone I knew,
His "post-it" note helped give me a clue,
Prompting me to get under way;
Searching the crowd with intensity.

The lack of name tags was tough, but fun,
My mind was stirred, the search went on,
For features, gestures, traits I knew,
Then I passed by, you know, guess who.

For she did not know who I was,
I doubt she'd guess, you see, because,
This beard and glasses worn many years,
Now hid me well from most my peers.

I watched and she was good to see,
I wondered if she'd talk to me;
I ventured on, "Hi, Verna Mae,"
A quizzical look came to her gaze.

Not to be rude, I told her my name,
She smiled a smile that was the same,
Spoke but a moment, but as others came,
Continued our quests in the search game.

Later we'd a chance to talk,
Took some time to share our walks,
To tell of family and what we'd done,
Some precious moments, one on one.

Then registration, and name tags came,
I had enjoyed the no name game,
For now the game has switched around,
To see what names on tags abound.

This too, produced a healthy crop,
As old acquaintances stop to talk,
Of now and all the passing years,
And those who'd gone, but still so dear.

Now at last, I turn to go,
I'd tired of searching to and fro,
For those I knew, I thought might come,
But chose, instead, to stay at home.

The leaving only took me back,
To those by-gone days when first I left,
The sense of school, the noise and light,
Now faded slowing to the night.

But glad I am that I was there,
Though, I got a case of name tag stare,
Still, a happy moment as I made my way,
I'd waved farewell to Verna Mae.




Jerry Cutting