[Susan McLean]

Homecoming (revision)

I'd seen her college only once. One fall
when I was just a child, our family made
the long drive there. Parked floats from the parade
we'd missed are all that I can now recall.

So when we next escort her to the Hill
at Homecoming, it feels like the first time
I've seen it. It's a warm and sunny climb
to where the old brick buildings cluster still.

Here she was happy. Here she was befriended.
She had a football scholarship because
the men were off at war. We witness where
she studied chemistry, played bridge, attended
concerts, joined the drama club. We pause
at times, to spread her ashes here and there.


Homecoming (original)

I'd seen her college only once before,
at Homecoming one sunny day in fall
when I was just a child. I now recall
parade floats in a parking lot, no more.

So when we next escort her to the Hill
at Homecoming, it feels like the first time
I've seen it. It's a warm and sunny climb
to where the old brick buildings cluster still.

Here she was happy. Here she was befriended.
She had a football scholarship because
the men were off at war. We witness where
she studied chemistry, played bridge, attended
concerts, joined the drama club. We pause
at times, to spread her ashes here and there.



Revisions:
L14 was "at times, to spread her ashes here and there." Reverted to "at times" from "sometimes" but added a comma before it.