Assignment: Commencement.

This heart paints a picture, brought
forth through mindless worries
and off-key heartstrings.  Shall
we concern ourselves with
the here and now? This speech
you make throws me off balance,
ready to write it off like a check.
Speak to the masses about natural
disasters, and the endeavors
we must prevail in. Leave us
forever, but know I can't survive
without some weatherlike chaos.

Am I really strong enough to hold
on to a tornado? You are my own
personal hurricane, blowing the roof
off old standards with new epiphonies
and torrents of rain.
It is too powerful to face, too perfect
or damn close to it, let alone too amazing
to frame in gold and lace. Believe
me, it's hard to believe you'll stay rooted
to the ground when you have more
things to learn and more to experience.
I am only the first in a long line of
classes you'll ace.

I'm only here to hold you down, yet
I feel compelled to do so. I'm terrified to
see you go. So smile at the applause, wave
in acknowledgement of your acheievements.
I'll miss you when you leave the stage.