Sonnet 12 - The Hands of the Diligent

THE HANDS OF THE DILIGENT

For Jennie's graduation from Gettysburg College, May 19, 2013

A score and three years ago we brought you forth

and here, where the South once lost to the North,

your family has come just to celebrate you

at your Hillel House digs, you counterfeit Jew!

You’ve read foreign books and know what they mean,

you’ve rucked with the ruggers and bled with the team,

you’ve studied with scholars at the Sorbonne --

at Myrtle Beach played in sand and in sun.

Though your life here consisted of opposite poles

you've played hard and worked hard to get to your goals.

You speak French and Spanish, sometimes you talk bawdy

and now you can say that you finished cum laude

The hands of the diligent receive their prize

and the wise that are taught, grow only more wise!