I chose this particular poem and picture at this particular time after seeing a photo taken by Charlie or Angie on their recent trip to North Carolina. Hannah had a late school start because of the ferocious (not) winter weather creating supposedly-slippery conditions in school parking lots. The MN cousins watched Hannah get on the bus, and seeing that photo later in the day reminded me of Hannah's first days of Kindergarten, getting into the routine of riding the school bus. What a big girl!
Here’s
how I imagine it…
It’s becoming routine.
Neighbors, chatting amiably,
gather again this morning to
wait with their
kids who are
weighted down with backpacks,
but
light on their feet,
skipping along
toward
the bus stop.
Vivi sees the flash of bright yellow first, and
shouts out “Buuus! Hug, Hannah, kiss!”
then grabs her sister
for their last hugs and kisses for hours and hours
and hours.
Hannah hops on Bus 116 as Princess the bus driver
checks the rearview mirror
for
last
minute arrivals.
Vivi waves good-bye, tossing kisses,
eyes glued to Hannah until she is
safely aboard
and on her way to Carrboro
Elementary for a happy
day of kindergarten. Vivi knows her
turn will come soon enough.
Too soon, her parents are thinking…
September 12, 2012
