Today was graduation.  The Class of 2016 has walked across the stage and moved their tassels to the left. I would say that most of the family celebrations are now coming to an end, and the students have moved on to celebrating with their classmates at various house parties. But, I don’t know that for sure.  What I do know for sure is that I am incredibly proud of each and every one of those human beings, and I wish nothing but the best for them.

It was an interesting day for me.  This was my first class of Sophomores who graduated today.  My first group of high school students I had ever taught.  The growth from that 2nd year of school to the 4th is quite extraordinary.  Not alone do teenagers change dramatically in their looks, their level of maturity in their thoughts and actions also develop at what seems an exponential rate.

I remember these students surprising me on their return from Christmas break that first year I had them.  They seemed to have aged years in a span of two weeks.  They were taller, faces altered, their voices deeper, and their attention spans just a little more focused.  I could not fully grasp what I had experienced, but it felt amazing.  Being witness to the growth of a human being is such a gift.  Even for a few years.

In fact, it is all a little absurd.  Which is why I have chosen the humble limerick for this week’s form.  An absurd poem for an absurd moment. When reading up on the limerick it has been equated to both a “madsong” and a “nonsense verse.”  The OED tells me that it is “intended to amuse by absurdity.” The limerick is traditionally a bawdy little rhyme, but it doesn’t have to be.  They are often spoken to make people laugh though.  It has five lines with an aabba rhyme scheme.  With the three “a” lines usually longer than the two “b”‘s.

So here is my try then.  I have to admit that I am not in a particularly bawdy nor humorous mood this evening.  I am, like many of my colleagues, absolutely exhausted and a little saddened to have a year finished.  And at the same time so very happy to have a year finished.  Life is fun, no?  Goodnight then, and I hope you enjoy a rather more pensive limerick than one might have expected…

The school is so quiet at night time
The bells echo loudly as they chime.
It’s like an intrusion,
A mental confusion.
A dark, empty school is quite sublime.

Your Turn!

Lines: Five
Rhyme: aabba
Rhythm: “a” lines 9 syllables, “b” lines 6 syllables