Graduation

I hear the drums playing
as we walk through the tunnel.
Students raise their hands
to push their caps down.
I touch my cap make sure is tight.
I lift my tassel from the back of the cap
and put it on the right side.
I grab my gown from the front
and put it straight.
People stand up from their chairs.
They clap louder and louder.

We walk in front of the podium
where a pulpit is in the middle
with three rows of chairs behind it.
I follow the guy in front of me.
I sit on the last chair of the third row
while the others take the seats in the back.
Have they seen me?]

"If you keep changing your major," Dad looked at me in the eye,
"You're never going to finish school," he said.
"I don't see myself writing down numbers for a career," my eyes opened wide,
"I want to be creative...I want to be a writer," I replied.
He put his hand on my shoulder.
"I just want to see my daughter finish school," he said.

Juan Carlos Munoz carries
The University Banner to the podium
follow by Eppie Rael, the Grand Marshal of the University,
the Graduate School Banner, the Engineering Banner,
the Liberal Arts and Science Banner. Diana Natalicio, President,
walks towards the pulpit. She welcomes
and introduces everyone sitting on the podium.
Everyone brings his or her hands together to clap.
We rise as the band plays, 'The Star Spangled Banner.'
The music's over. We sit down.

"What's wrong, honey?" Mom asked Dad as her forehead wrinkled.
He pressed his chest with his hand as if holding on to it.
"I've been getting sharp pains on my chest," he said.
"Have you made an appointment with a cardiologist yet?" She asked him.
"I will next week," he answered while he lay on the couch.
"You keep saying that, but you never do," Mom raised her voice.

The staff is ready to give out diplomas.
I hear the words, "Graduate School"
from one of the speakers on the podium.
I hear the sound of claps, whistles and horns
like a herd of robins in the sky
flapping their wings,
opening their beaks
to announce their presence
as each student walks across the podium
to receive a diploma.

[Why didn't you listened to Mom?
Now you can't be here.
See what you did?] The taste of salt on my lips
makes me wipe the tears from my face.

"College of Engineering."
Sounds of robins.

"Promise me you'll finish school,"
Dad stretched out his hand from the hospital bed
and held my hand.

"College of Liberal Arts."
More sounds of robins.

I got closer to his bed. "Yes Dad, I promise," I responded, my eyes full of tears.
I leaned over
and kissed him on the cheek.

[He closed his eyes
for never to opened them again.]
Shoot, I have that taste of salt
on my lips.
I wipe out my tears again.

My row stands up.
I follow the guy in front of me
as we walk closer to the front.
My heart starts pumping faster
as I wait in line for my turn.
I hear the robins
in the background. I'm next.
[This is for you Dad.] I give the yellow card
that has my name on it to the announcer.
He says my name over the microphone.
I start walking. [Dad, are you watching?]
I stop to get my diploma from the Marshal.
I smile and shake his hand. [I did it!]