POEM: The Commission

Tonight,
I commission you to make new promises:
Here, in our presence before everyone
And with the wild Kentucky Bluegrass to bear witness -
You are to write your history and your own tomorrow.
You are to carve out a new place in your heart
For the old passions and the new.

You are to remember everything,
The good and the bad.

Bring it all with you for you will need it
To refashion new youth
And re-passion a new path –

You are to reveal vistas yet unviewed,
And learn the music of songs yet to be sung.

We will make wishes of peace for you:
Full throated wishes of grand and long health -
Wishes for the embrace of warm friends
And warm beer -
And always the promise of more for you.