At Writer’s Island, we were encouraged to write about celebrations of any form. This poem is pretty much true, as are a lot of my pieces. Peace, Amy
GRADUATION DAY
It was graduation and we worked SO frickin hard
to get to that platform, even if it meant the ceremony and
a gown and a hat with the woosy little tassel on it
Our night to howl, we ditched the parents pretty quick
after the cake and punch and Aunt Cora pinching my cheek
Gotta catch up with the guys, I told Mom
Dad put his hand on her shoulder, like, it’s okay
Our kid’s a man today, and soon he’ll be in uniform, so
let him have fun with his friends, that’s how it goes
My sister begged me to take her along and I was like, no way
We got a party hidden away at Hilary’s house cause
her folks are away and she said she’s got a surprise
We get there, it’s all beer and sweat and thumpin music
“ATTENTION GRADUATES!” shrieks Hil over the noise
“We got some Farmville goin on for you tonight”
I’m lookin around for a computer and the Facebook screen
If that’s the big surprise, we’re bookin and findin a real party
She’s got a big bowl and some straws and stuff
“Take your pick.” Oh. PHARMville. You know the deal
Everybody raids their parents’ meds and their kid sister’s Ritalin
and Gram’s Oxy she takes for the arthritis in her knees
It all goes in a bowl and you pick out a few and down it
with a beer, or choose Door Number Two, which I did, and Ben
Pills crushed up to make a high/low heroin rush when you snort em
Last party wasn’t so good, I swallowed some caps and threw up a lot
And this is our big night, so Ben and I grab the straws
It burns, then a second later we’re soooooo mellooooow
All I remember is Ben falling asleep on the couch smilin like a dork
I passed out in this state of I don’t know what you call it, but
it felt damn good, like when they put me under for my tonsils
Just woke up and I’m at a funeral, oh shit, did Ben try to drive?
Everybody’s cryin, and I’m in the church balcony lookin down
I’m in my best suit, in the casket. Shit.
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
This . . .is hard to read, knowing that it is true. Or even if it wasn’t. Not hard to read because of the writing though, Amy. You deliver on that 100%. Thank you for being able to write the hard things so well.
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, thank you. The sad truth, as I told Sherry, is that both boys died in this incident; I only concentrated on the POV of one of them, who went into a coma after snorting God knows what. We have to be proactive in creating great, accessible, safe places for our youth to gather. And parents whose homes are used for parties such as this one, even if they are out of town and left their teen in charge, should face serious community service, if not jail time (one parent at a time). And their names should be printed in the paper. This was a disgrace in a very small rural town. It didn’t need to happen…
Sherry Blue Sky
Powerful, because, sadly, so true far too often for distraught parents to bear. So well done, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
The worst part is that both boys died… one went into a coma and the other “fell asleep” in the back seat of someone’s car on the way home and never woke up. Parents need to get together and create realistic youth centers for their kids to attend, so they don’t fall into small-town boredom and seek chemical thrills. This is a rural town we’re talking about, and these are the kids whose families used to own big farms…
Dick
Considering the passion that fires your denunciation of the hands-off parenting, Amy, this poem is a triumph of assumed voice and detached narrative. Superbly authentic and a fine example of just how relevant and authoritative a poem can be.
Sharp Little Pencil
Dick, that’s about the finest compliment I’ve ever received. That you – as it was based on a true incident, I took one boy’s POV and went from there. Unfortunately, they both died of overdoses. Thank you for your comments, truly. Amy
1sojournal
Amy, a friend of mine came home to find that her home had been the scene of such a gathering. She informed the school and personally called each parent to let them know what she hadn’t known. It was a traveling party that moved from house to house every weekend. She was outraged, but even more dumbfounded when the majority of parents were upset by her insistence that this be brought to a stop. They complained to the school about her behavior and said that at least they knew their kids were just being normal and having fun. My friend moved away from that community in shock.
Elizabeth
Sharp Little Pencil
Elizabeth, this is a good example of the dearth of real parenting in our country. I feel sorry for your friend; I guess this situation could come about without the parent knowing about it… so I take back the harsh criticism I put forth earlier. I should have been more thoughtful; I was speaking from frustration as well as the senseless loss of the two young men in question. That’s horrible, that the other parents didn’t understand the depth of her remorse over the situation. Hope she finds a better town and her kids are safer… and I’m sure she had a long, specific talk with her young ones about consequences. Thanks for sharing, Amy
Artswebshow
I do like the random nature of this.
Thankyou for sharing i enjoyed reading this
Lilibeth
This is so sad. I know it happens all the time though. Some say where are the parents? I understand, but I also am well acquainted with youth. Once they reach a certain age, there is no more protecting them from the consequences of actions they insist on doing. We have to do our best to raise them, then pray and hang on.
Sharp Little Pencil
You and Elizabeth both gave me an education on “the way things are.” I confess, I was usually a participant at drug stuff when I was in my 20s, but I never thought I would see the day of pharmng parties and not knowing your source and taking anything that was put in front of you. There used to be a certain etiquette, some rules. This shit is Russian roulette, and I’m glad my daughter doesn’t do it. Thanks, Lilibeth. And yes, we can always pray…
Teresa
Such a unique perspective. This is unfortunately way too real. Unfortunately, I know too many parents that even encourage the drinking at graduation.
uponthewingsofnight
I’m thankful every day that I have never smoked and never taken drugs. When I was a teenager, my peers found out very quickly that peer pressure was completely wasted on me. I just simply had no interest in that kind of “fun”, Very eye-opening read, Amy.