Jan Allison Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

On Graduation Day

My favourite laptop screensaver
is a photograph of you
                    on graduation day ...
your beaming smile
hides an aching heart
of such tragic loss

as your two school friends died
in your second year of study,
neither living to see your smile
                    on graduation day ...
they would have been so proud
of all you had achieved

and my heart fills with pride
that you didn’t give up studying,
in fact, you were the top student
and recognised internationally
                      on graduation day ...
I was proudest mother of them all!


9/12/19
Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph 
Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Eve Roper April 8, 2021 at 3:01 PM Great write, Jan, your son accomplished a lot and still is. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve

Paula Goldsmith April 8, 2021 at 12:08 PM Congratulations on your win. To the proudest mother and wonderful writer. A winner never gives up, that is why they are a winner. Have a blessed day............

Sam Kauffman April 8, 2021 at 10:33 AM This is a story of real life, Jan - success over heartbreak! Elegantly written. Congratulations. hugs :)

Constance La France October 3, 2019 at 5:22 PM Jan congratulations on your win in my challenge with this touching poem and what a great photo!

Jeanne Mcgee October 3, 2019 at 2:28 PM A loving tale well written. Congrats on your top win.

Juliet Ligon October 2, 2019 at 11:05 PM Impressive that your son persevered through the heartache. Your poem is very touching. Poetic hugs, Juliet. Jan Allison October 3, 2019 at 6:35 AM Thanks juliet, if it hadnt been for the parents coming to my fathers funeral to support me, I think he would probably have given up his studies. Hugs Jan xx

Anna Hopper September 15, 2019 at 9:11 AM Beautiful Jan Allison September 17, 2019 at 12:09 PM Thanks Anna:-) hugs Jan x

Rico Leffanta September 13, 2019 at 4:23 PM It sometimes takes a bulk of years to understand death is the natural end to living and what a motivator that can be to the living, your son as well as you in composing this poem! Aloha! Rico Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:32 AM thanks Rico, he is home at the moment but I won't show him this poem ... maybe one day but for now I don't want to pull him down he is in a very good place in life :-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham September 13, 2019 at 12:42 PM A tragic story Jan, your son must have been devastated, it must have been hard for him to continue but thankfully he did, it must have been such a proud moment for you when he graduated. Good luck. Tom Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:26 AM it affected him so badly he wanted to give up studying - we learned a lot more about that from his lectures when we went to the award ceremony but if it hadn't been for the parents of the boys he probably would have dropped out of uni hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux September 13, 2019 at 7:49 AM This yanks at my heart strings. I hope the only true parts are the graduation, beaming smile and you being proud. Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:25 AM I wish it had been a fiction poem but no sadly his 2 schoolfriends (brothers) died in a drugs related tragedy. I have written poems about the and their death, it rocked our world:-(https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/ecstasy_804708https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/jactor_project_-_your_chance_to_get_involved_645746. Hugs Jan xx

Regina Mcintosh September 13, 2019 at 7:47 AM I'm so glad he continued. A sad but happy tribute. Many blessings and prayers for you. Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:21 AM thanks Regina:-) hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven September 12, 2019 at 8:21 PM Hi Jan, you have so much to be proud of in your son, his achievements are exemplary. My emotions are somewhat torn in the reading of this emotional write. There is sadness on reading of the death of his two school friends, then there is joy at the graduation. Your pride comes through in the words of this piece Jan. It reads like a wonner to me. Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs....Mike. Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:20 AM I was in 2 minds about writing the poem but I went with my heart:-) hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer September 12, 2019 at 3:43 PM a very touching poem, jan, and your pride in your son's accomplishments is well-deserved! Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:19 AM thanks Ilene:-) hugs Jan xx

Bobby May September 12, 2019 at 3:18 PM JAN, our children are never lost they just adventure out soon they will return asking for help! My sweet friend never forget you brought them into the world they will never forget you! You are their queen never forget that!! Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:19 AM My son is home at the moment I am so so proud of everything he achieves, he is an amazing young man:-) hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y. September 12, 2019 at 2:16 PM Hi Jan, Although it was sad to hear about the young boys that died( and your father). You had so much to be proud of, your son kept going and graduated in the midst of sorrow. Kudos to the boys parents for talking your son. This is a winner in my book. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. Have a fantastic day my friend:-) Alexis Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:18 AM thanks Alexis:-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen September 12, 2019 at 1:46 PM - Of course you were proud, Jan ... your son had a lot in his mind that year - Luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:17 AM He had had such a tough time, I am so so proud of him he was the first one in our family to go to university:-) hugs Jan x

Jennifer Proxenos September 12, 2019 at 1:45 PM We are such proud parents when our children graduate - the pride that only a mom or dad can feel - I loved this poem as it brought back memories of Ricky's graduation. Beautifully penned Jan. Hugs, Jennifer. Jan Allison September 14, 2019 at 3:17 AM thanks Jennifer:-) hugs Jan xx

Chris Green September 12, 2019 at 1:18 PM I remember when my daughter's graduated and I can see it again in your wonderful photographic poem Jan. Best wishes in the contest Jan Allison September 12, 2019 at 1:25 PM My father also died 4 months after the boys passed away. My son came over for the funeral and said he was thinking of giving up studying as he was so devastated over the losses. The boy's parents had never met my dad but arrived as we were walking in behind the coffin, just to support me at the funeral - I asked them to have a word with my son about not giving up - they had a chat with him and it turned him around and he graduated with 3 prizes and was internationally recognised. His graduation was the proudest day of my life for so many reasons!:-) hugs jan xx