Graduation

Magna cum laude.
Those words written on his architecture degree
almost six decades earlier
seem to shimmer and resonate
comfortingly beyond the borders of his vision.
Carried on melding-dimensional cross-currents
of melodic sussuration, he is tornado-funneled
to cycle's beginning: two young parents'
protective arc over his cradle; shifting
to kaleidoscope of kidstuff; to a love
risen like a star and fallen like a stone,
ushering in that episode of hollowness
leading to reflection, then to shades of wisdom.
Gently, the curriculum vitae Ferriswheel
slows down and lets him off ...

A wave, an onslaught of his family's
love and pain, jolts him, and he staggers
in its undertow, would fall back, gnashing
nonexistent teeth in agony to resurrect. ...
A figure intervenes, its vestments of light
and dear features remembered
from before the birth-journey.
" Welcome back, Edward!
You have graduated with honors from the plan
you set up for yourself
eighty-two years ago by Earth-time.
(Went by in a flash to us here
even while we monitored your every achievement.)
Many await you joyfully, so come!
To celebrate, before the Life Review."

"Lions" Photograph by Michelle Williams