GRADUATION

by Hal O'Leary
(Wheeling, WV, USA)

On this your day you will receive
advice from everyone you know.
There’s little of it you’ll retain
And really there’s no reason why you should,
for what you will most likely get
are all the things that brought success to them,
as though your life should be a mirror of their own.

But who knows what your life will be,
what opportunities you’ll find,
what trials you may encounter.
Just be prepared for all that comes your way,
And toward that end take heed of this,
In opting twixt the head and heart,
I’d choose the heart for happiness.
And for success, you need no more than this.
Keep all options open
for as long as well you can.