School Reunion for The Sunday Whirl

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Back row: Patti Dykstra Arnieri, Val Lecke Halla, Ed Jackson
Front row: Mick Penticoff, Judy Dykstra-Brown and Mick’s granddaughter Melissa

School Reunion

Wind strums the grass
around the Dakota town
where we gather under a prairie sky.

Back home again after sixty years
all the world  constricted to this gymnasium––
forgotten friends are again remembered,
denied loves again brought to mind.

Folklore of the past is stirred up to reveal new truths
as facts and rumors buzz around our heads
like bees that store old stories like honey,
then lie fallow to be stirred up again in 5 years.

We leave each other again, then,
for one more time,
wondering with departing sighs
whether pleas to keep in touch
will be remembered.

For The Sunday Whirl, the prompt words are: home world denied bees pleas forgotten folklore wonder fallow sigh sky strum

I am riding home from my 2-day school reunion in South Dakota as I write this poem wherein I’ve added the restriction of making use of the twelve prompt words above. It was the best reunion ever–the 61st year after my high school graduation, but since the all-school reunions (meaning they are for every class who ever graduated from the school)  for the tiny high school I attended are staged only every 5 years, it was only my 12th reunion, not all of which I’ve been able to attend. It was, however, the best one to date.  (But then my sister says I say that every time.) This time there were lots of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of schoolmates who attended and it was wonderful to see these additions to their lives and continuations of their stories.

More Photos: Reunion Parade combined with 250 year celebration..Horsemen with flags of all 50 states. Photo by Patti Arnieri.

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About lifelessons

My blog, which started out to be about overcoming grief, quickly grew into a blog about celebrating life. I post daily: poems, photographs, essays or stories. I've lived in countries all around the globe but have finally come to rest in Mexico, where I've lived since 2001. My books may be found on Amazon in Kindle and print format, my art in local Ajijic galleries. Hope to see you at my blog.

15 thoughts on “School Reunion for The Sunday Whirl”

  4. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    Judy! This caught me my first day home with a cry out like an old friend who was brought home! Thanks so much! The poem is spot on and I like how you snd I have reached out out hand to one another! Hey, we are all pretty good looking with filters and great smiles . Thanks, kid. Here’s looking at you.

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  5. Unknown's avatarAnn Garcia

    so happy you’re w sister..hiiii, Patti!!!. Old friends, and wind and sagebrush, big thunderheads and the sense of…home. enjoy. I received yr manuscript today!

    have happy times and kiss wide old wyo for me.

    love, Ann from Cheyenne

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  6. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    Last year I attended my 45th high school reunion and your poetry emotionally brought memories of life long friends who keep in touch until gathering again to recall with memories fading, but the emotions remain.

    Thanks you so much Judy.🫶🏾

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  7. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    Great poem Judy! Not too many from the class of 1970 showed up but I enjoyed seeing others from my generation. I especially enjoyed the Sunday morning coffee at the Red Top. I hope you had a safe trip back home Judy.

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    1. lifelessons's avatarlifelessons Post author

      I can’t see who made this comment..Can you sign your comment, please? I just see “Anonymous.” I am safely home..and hope we are both at the next reunion in 5 years!!!

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