Back in 1995, my parents flew out to Dad's 50th high school reunion in Whittier, California. Before they left, I wrote Dad this poem. (He made copies and shared it with his friends.) They had a great time and came back with lots of stories. Sadly, most of those mentioned in the poem have now passed on, but in 1995 they had quite a party!
THE 50th REUNION
Copyright 2012 by Roger B. Stone (with a nod to Dr. Seuss)
Way out in the West, right next door to L.A.
The Whittier High gang has called it a day.
All night long they’ve been acting like kids at a bash,
But it’s fifty years later – they’re ready to crash.
Tommy Mattis was there and Bob Lassleben too,
Mike and Conley and Sherf added to the Who’s Who.
There was Roger "the Coop", and ol’ "Stoney" Bob Stone,
And they all still had crushes on Marilyn and Joan.
“So what you been up to these last fifty years?”
“Oh not much – how ‘bout you?” they began between beers.
But they soon got warmed up and began reminiscing,
About good old days with the friends they’d been missing.
They talked about cars, and they talked about bars,
And they talked about fires on the beach ‘neath the stars.
They recalled some old songs, and an old drinking bout,
And the lies that they’d told about who’s making out.
They spoke of their lives and their loves (in hoarse voices).
They told of careers full of good and bad choices.
And in just one short night full of laughter and tears,
They managed to cram in the whole fifty years.
They remembered their teachers – some lousy, some dear,
Then they toasted old friends who are no longer here.
And they all celebrated just being alive,
With the Whittier class of Nineteen Forty-Five.
Way out in the West where they have perfect weather,
A half-century's gone by since they last got together.
They’re sleeping right now, but tomorrow they’ll say,
“What great memories we have – seems like just yesterday!”
