By Storm (‘S Cool Reunion)
From places frozen, moderate, warm,
each five years we group and swarm
over mountains, plains and seas.
Some jog in place and others wheeze
as in the past, we’re told to line up
in a row to wait to sign up.
Though years ago, it’s true not all
heeded Mr. Appleby’s call,
we now comply and then we freeze
as Margie calls out, “Quiet, please!”
and those that years have made defiant
suddenly become compliant.
Teens again, we squirm and stand,
united in this reprimand.
We’ve journeyed here to reunite,
our faces wrinkled, our clothes too tight;
but all around us in time’s disguise,
are those we do not recognize.
We stand embarrassed, tempest-tossed,
feeling ill-at-ease and lost
until a tiny shift takes place
and we recognize a face!
Then suddenly, the line is filled
with strangers finally double-billed
when old faces shed their years
and we recognize our peers
as cheerleaders and ball court stars,
cruisers “U’ing Main” in cars,
pranksters, whisperers and hypers,
Mrs. Kuhrt’s impressive typers,
marching bands and spitwad flickers,
dribblers and football kickers.
“Hello” and “Hi there” “Hey!” and “Howdy!”
transform the neatly rowed to rowdy
as senator and cowboy bond
as though transformed by fairy wand.
Financier and building framer
guffaw with a hall-of-famer.
Counselors, teachers, moms and dads
remember misdeeds, pranks and fads.
Wrinkles fade, pounds fall away,
as we’re returned to yesterday.
