I am surprised this magical day
I meant to get partial credit for that
the graduation ceremony was empty
see the bookkeeper for the reasons
to learn to become a writer
a dazzling move typing and sorting triplicate forms
not very stimulating but it paid the bills
if you want to be an artist you have to give up your dreams
of swimming pools of bragging
and maybe also a tiny fortune
society promised the throbbing anxiety
the respect of colleagues low-grade fame
these things will save you the culture lies
manage to keep down dozens
dreams connection
hallowed ground only spirit feeds
/ / /
This found poem was crafted from a commencement speech given by Anne Lamott, later reprinted on Salon. It was prompted by the Graduation poetry prompt at The Found Poetry Review.
Lamott, Anne. “Let Us Commence.” Saloncom RSS. Salon, 6 June 2003. Web. 27 May 2015.
