The Journey Inward

She’s the last one,
Closing out an era 
Of having “dependents,”
(Though my girls are anything but). 

It is bittersweet, this time, 
And I write often to mark it, 
To feel it, cherish it,
Be present to it. 

Our last to “leave home,”
To graduate college, 
To establish her own place 
And begin a new life. 

She’s the last one, 
Closing out an era 
For all my parents’ grandchildren, 
All eleven of them. 

Do my siblings sense the bittersweet,
Since they’ve already had their lasts?
Do they feel it as I do,
And sense the significance? 

The last of them all to leave home, 
To spread their wings, 
To take flight. 
And begin all the firsts. 


Cover Photo:  Her Last Regimental Review. New London, CT. 5.20.25 by LA

Coast Guard Academy Graduation Class of 2025. Photo by LCM