Frank Corso: ‘The Reunion’

The Reunion

The invitation came out of the blue.
I roll-call last days of college year. We grew up in uniform;
Separately ranged from science to Shakespeare.
(The institution closed long ago.) At a neutral venue
Wonder hesitantly before entering—
Married? Children? Job? Bald? Fat? Alive? Well-to-do?
We size each other up, look for a trait, a clue …
A handshake begins the backward jaunt,
Banter about teachers we ogled and despised,
Sporting feats, delinquent pranks, the frequent smoking haunt.
The era flew! Class photograph of long hair and crooked ties
Is all we have—recollections in black and white.
This crop of heads with mellow voices is new.
As strangers we’re polite. Why did I come tonight?

Frank Corso