Frankie and I are home. He’ll soon put on a light-green, button-down collared shirt, a pair of Khakis and dockers. We’ll drop him off at the middle school and take our seats in the auditorium.

For his promotion ceremony.

I blinked, and my son turned eleven and graduated elementary school. Years like sand through clenched fists is a cliché for a reason.

Passing breeze all the songbird chicks grown up

Author’s note: this haibun commemorates my son’s elementary school commencement in the spring of 2014. He’s currently a freshman in High School!

photo by Celia Ortega