Class of 2010
by Sharon Niederman @2010
Your father’s up there, somewhere, in the bleachers
With his new girlfriend, not much older than you
Nervous, tattooed, huddled in the corner
Murmuring into her cell phone
She’s going out for cigarettes
Last time you saw him
You were eleven, screaming, out of control
Cops came in the middle of the night
After he threw you down the stairs
He sent your mother to the hospital
For years you made your own breakfast
Got yourself and the others off to school
Booze on her breath, you took care of her too
She’s up there crying
You’ve made her proud
You can’t wait to get away
Anywhere, away from here
Two year school in Missouri
The counselor handed you
A full ride, your ticket out
Pomp and circumstance
Pomp and circumstance
You march to that bleary rhythm
Step on stage, in long gold robe
Wobbling on four inch heels
But hey – you won’t fall, no way.
Embracing the North 