GRADUATES

300 bemused faces walk out the gate,
Anxious and excited, what lies in their fate.
They turn for a lst look at the old grey stone,
Silent yet strong it looks so alone.
The moment is poignant,time slows to a crawl,
Eyes are moist as special moments are recalled.

3 years ago the seeds had been sown,
They have now borne fruit and reached a milestone.
These young scholars hold their degrees as a shield,
To protect them and garner a good yield.
Tears and sweat have been shed,
To get a headstart in life, to remain ahead.
Proud parents and teachers crowd around bursting with pride,
As they walk down heads held high.
Inside however, they feel so alone,
The security blankets have been removed and the road ahead is unknown.

Friends ,foes, jocks and nerds, no social circles bind them now,
Individually through life they must plough.
Each on his own, no support from mates,
Now they will disciver their personal traits.
No shoulders to cry on, no familiar hands to hold,
No adults to teach, punish and scold.
They have taken a backseat, the dice has been rolled,
Now they have their own values and principles to uphold.

Each has been given his or her fair share,
To use or misuse, there is no spare.
How they use it will determine,
Their capacity to learn and future discipline.
Life is but a test of graduates as people,
Strong, confident, shy or feeble.
Church, Barracks, Court, Boardrooms, Jail,
Hidden selves the world will unveil.
The world is a playground, They can paly what they choose,
Its a tough place where you can win or loose.

Degrees in hand, the doors to the outside world open wide,
It has its rules, they can disregard or abide.
The chains have been broken, they now sail free,
Only they know their limits, they're GRADUATES you see....