watching them go

i'll be a senior next year. i'm scared.
i'm watching on the school's site right now, watching my friends cross the stage and shake hands
i'll see a few of them over the summer, yes
but it's not the same
there's foreign students going back to their country
norway, italy, germany

there's our principal, mr. b, saying 'congratulations'
my senior friends, walking to get their diplomas
families cheering and shouting with joy.
this time next year, i'll be on the stage,
shaking hands, walking into my next stage of life.

i'll be hearing my name said, my family clapping
my grandma crying and my grandpa looking proud
am i ready?
i don't know.
i have a year to decide. 

congrats, class of 2019!