HOME | DD
WordOfChen — Graduation Day
Published: 2013-06-18 17:10:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 13580; Favourites: 637; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
Graduation Day:They told us we would be alright...
We had fought with honour and won our titles.
We had overcome trials together -
Watching dozens of our siblings fall in the line of duty.
For this they had promised us, a wondrous welcome;
A bountiful world of adventure, with a myriad of paths.
All this, they said, awaited us in the stone cities.
Large metropolises, where the working folk resided...
There were hundreds of us, who made that journey.
Walking miles across the scorching desert,
Clinging to a hope of the fortunes beyond.
Yet what awaited us was not a promised land -
Nor was it a life based on the merit we had earned...
Instead we found ourselves quarantined,
Pitching tents of inexperience-
Huddling together for comfort and warmth;
As the great gates of employment stood eerily silent.
-Chen Yuan Wen, 18 June 2013
Related content
Comments: 157
I hope t' impress ye with more pieces then ^^ Thank ye so kindly fer enjoyin' this and fer th' critique :3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LOL No problem capt'n!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow. Just. Wow.
One of the most appealing poems I've ever read so far. As a future graduate, I know how it feels about the uncertainties of life once I get out of the gates of college life and stepping into the world of labour and adult life. But that doesn't mean there are no chances of quitting.
Despite the months that I will face before graduating, it had given me hope and a chance to prosperity no matter what course I was given, much to disappointments in life, the relief of passing a subject, and the joys along the pain.
It's a poem where every word is filled with imagery of a road of choices, uncertainties, and hope, filled with skill and genuine expression. A nice work indeed especially for people who would go out to that wild, broad world.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank ye very kindly fer enjoying this piece.
It comes from personal experience as well, as it is I'm currently out of work 
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This is very beautiful. Yet, very heartbreaking.
Because the world is cruel as we see it when we are out of school for good. We have to face debt, money, taxes, and others more. And we have no time for love and freedom nowadays. And even now, many of us are struggling to get what we always dreamed of.
But sometimes, there may be hope in all of us.
This is what I see in the poem. And this is the type that shows what happens in real life. As I said, this is the most beautiful poem. Ever. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/b/b… " width="15" height="15" alt="
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed it ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
As a semi-recent graduate and apprentice teacher who has already been laid off once and have as of yet found a stable opening in my field, I find this poem deeply meaningful. The metaphor of the adult world as a mythical promised land is quite accurate. This poem highlights the almost religious quality that the educational system has taken on: people suspect it is flawed when they are within it, but they are too afraid to escape it in case heaven is real. I enjoy the image the reader is left with of millions of the inexperience shanty town building up outside of the gates of employment.
The only part of this poem I don't care for is the line about siblings falling in the line of duty. Does this refer to those who have dropped out or students who have literally died along the way? Maybe older siblings or friends who had already fallen into debt due to lack of employment? I would have liked more clarification.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It refers t' those who dropped out of university during their courses. It was mean t' be symbolic. I hope this helps clarify things ^^
Thank ye so kindly fer the critique :3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Hello Chen! Your work has been featured here: fableweaver55.deviantart.com/j…
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you so kindly for the feature ^^
-Your boy, Chennie
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Once again, I am left speechless. Beautiful
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank ye kindly ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Glad to see you back! I wish I could've said this earlier, but I was on vacation. The imagery of them poem truly is amazing. While some may find jobs easily, it'll take blood, sweat, and tears for many others. Beautiful work, and I wish you good luck in finding a job!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Glad t' have ye back and enjoyin' me works lass :3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
yut! Seems legit. In two years i'll be in a similar situation. Good luck with ye endeavors, Captain!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye, prepare yerself fer it if ye can ^^ We'll all be weatherin' this storm.
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
lol life is never perfict
im constinitly disapointed in life myself
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ah well, all ye can do is suit up and join me fer a run. That's what I recommend t' everybody x3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
First off, welcome back
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Best o' luck to ye lass. Least ye have work experience, sometimes they don't even count what I've done here in the lit. community. Why bother joinin' a school club when I can contribute t' th' world. Ah well, th' frustrations o' life x3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
awsome....this is a great way to illustrate the frustrations my self and so many others have after college life, if your interested check out a song called "go forth and die" by dethklok
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Bwahaha I am familiar with the kloks of death. Murmaider is one of my favourite songs xD That said, I'm glad ye enjoyed it ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you for sharing this with us. It really illustrates the fears and trials of this generation's young adults.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I know all the graduates everywhere are feelin' it, so I'm glad t' share ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank ye fer readin' it ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Glad ye enjoyed it ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I just graduated today...they fill your head with lies...they say this world can be forgiving...that this world isn't dark and cruel...nothing but spreading false hope and courage for the future....and my classmates gobble it all up like the brainwashed fools they are...anyways great poem thanks for posting!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Bwahaha, well ye can't blame anyone fer believin' it, then again we can't sit and do nothin' either. This be the middle ground I suppose ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I graduated today and I don't know if I should be happy that I finished school or if I should be scared of the future. On the one hand I mastered a great step in my life and on the other hand are the real challenges still waiting for me...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye, aye .3.
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I don't normally read poetry but l can relate to that 
If you're interested, you can check it out here: [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad ye enjoyed this poem ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love the "accent" you have in your notes. :-P I feel like you could play with the formatting a bit of the text, see if you could make it into one of those like... word art poems. I feel like this one in particular would be a good host for a bit of a scattered approach.
I love the poem itself though... I'm a recent college graduate as well, haven't started job hunting just yet (moving first) but I imagine it isn't going to be the most fun thing I have ever done.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Haha, I generally don't like t' do word art when I write me poems. Reason bein' that my style makes use of bolds and italics as opposed to structurin' a poem in a certain way. Making it more like word-art can make it more 'artistic', but I find I lose reach and understandability amongst the wider audience ^^
Thank ye fer readin' and enjoyin' it my friend :3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'm in a similar position, but I haven't finished school yet.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Haha then yer lucky mate ^^
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Really? I'm still applying for places.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank ye :3
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, crap. Now I remember why I'm so afraid to graduate o_o
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye, it seemed like I couldn't wait t' do so at one point, now I feel like I want t' stay longer xD
-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>