The Northwoods, Wisconsin

I’m sitting here tonight with these alums
and one wise colleague, and allegedly
we’ll solve big problems in this little room.
Or else we’ll be confused together, maybe,
and that’s ok— difficult blossoming
needs honesty, mainly. And don’t forget,
that’s how it felt then, too, however many
years ago, days when you weren’t soaring yet,
or when the self-made wings had failed. He says:
“On senior night, I try to see again
the kids I first encountered. In every way
nothing beside remains.” Radically grown.
Since changing doesn’t change, there are always
these nights and stories, lived as if our own.