Graduation Day 2000

I wrote this the night I graduated. I was in a motel room with my parents, and I couldn't sleep. I knew I had to put down in words what I was feeling on this very big day.

Today I plunged my hand into the salty ocean tide;
I grasped and clutched at treasures there below
That mystery of shifting, bubbling waves of liquid glass.
My hands were only helpless 'gainst the flow.
When my fingers touched the finest piece
They only brought me vain release
From the joy that comes from holding friends in love.

Today my eyes were moistened by a salty flowing tear
As helplessly I clutched with arms of care
That mystery of every moving waves of life and time;
The pulling tide is more than I can bear.
As the greatest treasures, moving on,
Exit our dusk to find their dawn.
May our greatest joy in Christ be loving friends.