First Days

Thrilled children with chubby cheeks
Leftover from babyhood

Wearing cartoon character backpacks
So big they can’t stand straight

And clutching lunches that melancholy mothers made for them

The night before---

First days of kindergarten

Adolescents, thumbs jammed in their pockets
Squirming in belts and collared shirts

Rolling their eyes and checking their text messages
Way too cool to pose for a picture, mom

But we’ll do it for you

If you leave us alone—

Middle school madness

And a high school girl

Who wrestled cancer all spring and summer

Returning to school in triumph
No photograph needed
Imagine it with your heart

Her grin blinding friends to her bald head

Delighted for a first day back at school.