The enchantment of the jasmine’s flickering candle doth burn,
On the broad, antique desk, poems she created in quick turns.
While her mind with brightness, filled with equanimty did churn.
Recalling recognitions with joy over happy centuries she did learn.
Smiling over her ‘Summa Cum Laude’, so rightly, was her proud earn. ‘
Her parents, schooling, churching with love, she had this night,discerned!
~POEM 1~
10/11/2024
“magna cum laude”
i am a graduate
of Vegetative
State
Nostalgic about moving-on moments
my mind lingers at throwback scenes
milestones surpassing oblivion challenge.
1974... Kindergarten toga and cap propelled my steps
toward big brother’s elementary campus
midst anticipation of sumptuous recess-snacks.
1981... Triumphantly leading alma mater pledge
I then saluted fellow graduates
eager to roam along high school corridors.
1985... Absorbed by prepared valedictory address
my heart could never stop tears, yet I managed still
since commencement song would soon reverberate.
1989... Grateful to parents, my perpetual mentors
I handed their partnership university diploma and cum laude pin
delighting them for scholarship returns, indeed grants from the Lord.
1999... Charged with “Enter to learn, go forth to serve” pursuits
my faith accepted Bible College graduation's quest
Thus, I press* on, furthering kingdom of God --- all by His grace.
*Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Narrative in Tristich form
March 24, 2023
I barely can recall the day of my college graduation.
Even though my husband was my only comrade in attendance,
I felt proud to be with cum laude honors, sitting in a special section.
Also it’s a good thing all we graduates wore loose-fitting robes.
At the time of this event, I was almost eight months pregnant,
and I do believe that even in that flowing robe,
my pregnancy was showing!
It’s been decades since that day, which is why
I barely can recall a thing except for my feelings
of joy, accomplishment and pride – that despite the challenges
of raising a daughter for the prior three years, working part-time,
and even walking back and forth to college
(I’d still not learned to drive),
I had managed to complete the necessary courses
to the best of my ability and obtain my bachelor’s degree.
You can be a parent and you can have a job
and still do well in college.
It only takes desire, focus and energy.
I am proof of that; my education gave me a profession,
and never will I regret my efforts.
March 17, 2023
for Graduation Day Poetry Contest of Craig Cornish
At no time say never- that it is too late
fulfilling accomplishments you've left undone.
At times, what you long for is not met by fate;
Must tend to those wishes yourself- to be done.
I, married with children, had turned thirty-nine;
two went off to college, the other, soon too.
A gap in my life at this time seemed just fine
for me to reach out, a new venture pursue.
It took six long years- although what a great ride!
As a part-time student, in college, I bloomed-
with English BA, Business minor, my side-
rewards in my writing and work status zoomed.
At the graduation, my heart filled with cheer!
With summa cum laude, Nineteen eighty-four,
I walked on that stage with my family near-
all praising my courage for growth to explore.
At times, what you long for is not met by fate;
at no time say never- that it is too late.
Anapestic Tetrameter -/--/--/--/
G is for Gershon,a very kind heart
E is for Enthusiastic,ever encouraging
R is for Rollicking, clever poetry
S is for Sensitive, and so inspiring
H is for Humanistic in all ways
O is for Openmindedness, so rare
N is for Nourishment for our souls
W is for Wisdom, he blesses us with
O is for Outstanding humor,'Cum Laude'
L is for Loving, that is his attitude
F is for Fortitude,and that is no platitude
*****
Dear Gershon,
You are such a loving support to so many
of us. And bring your unique laughter to us
all......every day!
With deep appreciation,
Panagiota Romios
8/5/2021
Happy birthday, Noah Roque,
A student has high distinction;
Graduated magna cum laude,
He has learned from education.
Topic: Birthday of Noah Roque (March 30)
Education
Haiku: by Tom
12/29/2020
I have a degree,
It reads "the school of hard knocks."
not Magna Cum Laude.
Haven't wanted for anything,
God has really blessed.
Tom
I'm tellin' you now, don't ask how–
but
I made it out, without a doubt
it was hard
I studied every night, until my grades were just right
but
even that college degree won't protect me
because
graduating cum laude won't save me
when
I'm laying face down on the ground
with
a knee on my neck and pressure on my chest
and..
my vision's blurry, it's hard to see
and..
and I can't..
I can't..
b r e a t h e
I picked "cinqku" because I don't know
what form that is, and I'm too lazy to
look it up; but if you've ever read any
of my poetry you should know I don't
want to lead anyone down a particular
path, but just that you read into what
you want to read into. However,
comments are left open to release,
and it seems PoetrySoup has an in
and an outside crowd. As Groucho
Marx once said (maybe a paraphrase)
"I wouldn't want to be a member of
a club that would want me as a
member."
So, with my last poem I stated about
paying my bill. So I have settled what
I owe, but I do leave a big tip, and if
you are wise you will follow, Maureen
McGreavy is the best TASTE out of
this pot.
For you bible pushers and preachers, "In
the beginning was the WORD." Choose
your words wisely. That verbal stone you
skipped might just hit you in the ****.
My wife has often said, "Why is the F word
the first thing out your mouth when you were
class scholar and magna cum laude?" F them.
Graduation Of Two
It is a day to remember,
my son and grandson together,
Graduating with an A-plus,
so tell me what is all the fuss,
Cannot recall a dull moment,
from yearly gifts now bestowment,
Both of you summa cum laude,
G.P.A. four-point-oh lordy,
So come now, uncle and nephew,
we leased a hall for this venue,
Family and friends all gather,
Entertainment, food, gifts, matter,
Your dad and granddad are happy,
nana's countenance is pretty,
Interest, game technology,
twas both in your biology,
Twas in the cards with words on walls,
colleges with their protocols,
Tis best for both to get a house,
here are the keys as I espouse,
Since your parents bought your new cars,
I resolved to buy a just cause,
So here is a toast to you boys,
ere me young men, to books from toys,
Both part of our family tree,
today, a bit proudly it be.
2020 February 17
Rhyme Scheme:
Couplet
An overachieving college student
with lofty ambitions.
Her education is finally over,
a completion of a complicated puzzle.
A summa cum laude graduate
with two doctorate degrees under her belt.
The sky's the limit, yet she struggles
to decide which fork in the road to take
She stands with her arms akimbo
on the cusp of destiny.
As her eyes search the infinte stars
in the sky, she's wondering "Now what?"
Crossroads Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Silent One (Winner: 3rd Place)
Date written and posted: 09/20/2019
walking into
the lobby of
my doctor's
office
wearing a t
shirt that reads
Vegetative State
Athletic Dept.
becoming one
with the crowd
realizing how
i'm just one
of the crowd
magna cum laude
world traveler now
postal worker of
course what else
could i be other
than just another
nut that has
rolled far from
the family tree
I wrote this 50 years ago, yup, been dipping the brain in ink for a few years now.
What do you do on a rainy day
'sides twiddle your thumbs to pass time away.
I have a suggestion, mere conjecture,
escape from it all, attend a lecture.
There you can doodle, take a few notes
- fill up your pad with ambiguous quotes
from Shakespeare and Bacon and Chaucer.
Study and cram and stay up all night,
let your brain fly unbelievable heights -
you know all the answers, let no one deny,
any question you're given you correctly reply.
Summa Cum-Laude then straight to the top,
your ambition, your knowledge, no one can stop
...and just when you think you've got the world won
you awake from your dream, late for class, off you run!
Second Chance
They all expected me to go that year
to a college of my dreams.
Good high school students are imagined to
continue academic paths.
But see...I fell in love, and so I chose
to let my heart lead to my goal
and follow my Marine to where he was,
as his devoted wife and love.
And life was wonderful, because, that June,
at eighteen, I became his bride.
Within six years, three children filled our life,
and I thrived well in motherhood.
The years went fast and blessed our family.
And when the youngest was thirteen,
I did what none expected me to do...
seek out a full college degree.
At forty-five, after a long six years,
a grad I was...Summa Cum Laude.
And then, mature to use it to my best...
this second chance, my treasure was.
BA in English, Business Minor too,
helped me make good my second chance;
achieved new growth on my employment stage...
alongside motherhood and wife.
January 17, 2019
Premiere Contest: Second Chances
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke
Related Poems