100% Acceptance Rate
All of us will go to college
The school promised it

If we do our part
All 150 of us
Smart
Ready to embark

Day one:
First period.

Jermaine literally jumped for joy
Bounding high over the desk and into his seat.
A small hurdle in the grander scheme
of “Out West” inner-city obstacles.

A fear of the tardy bell?
More so his parent(s), grandparents…guardians?

“You bet not get in no mess on the first day!”

Crisis averted
On-time!
By the skin of his teeth
And ass, in this case.

The class erupts in laughter
at this feat of improvised athleticism.

The class clown has established himself
front and center
under the big top.

I scan the room along with the flustered ringmaster
taking attendance.

“Jermaine?”

“President! Y’all ca’ call me Willie tho!”

We laugh again.
We’re all present.
Accounted for.

Especially the Wu-tang Clan fan next to me.
His name sprawled wide and bold
Just above the “W” on his folder.
T DUB

Became my best friend.

Today:
several years later
memories emerging from dusty relics
We warm-heartedly remember

Jermaine 
or 
“didn’t he say to call him Willie?”

“Remember when he jumped over the desk the first day!”

We both chuckle, muffled
Humor subdued by accrued wisdom.

Too bad he wasn’t one of the 50.