The Photojournalism Archive

Graduating high school seniors in Eureka, Nevada flee an approaching storm after having their class portrait taken in the high country.

Storming Graduation

A short spring into grass, quick to run,

     to graduate into ceremonial rain,

to launch their vessels, their fleshed-out time:

     bone steerage, muscled rigging,

skin sails, the joy of new worlds;

     shoals of high dessert, the slow wave

of mountains crashing down,

     the Sirens’ surf beyond their hearing

They grip the rudder of deaf diplomas.

     It’s their course now, but it’s not

what anyone expected, their paths

     predetermined or just determined

each week one less kiss and curse.