'Twas the Week Before School Starts

(Republished with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)

'Twas the week before school starts, and all through the land,
Came traveling families with SUV's crammed.
The book bills, the dorm tab, all paid with great care,
But one more time on probation and they'll no longer be there.

The teens were all snuggled, the back seats were beds.
We pulled on to campus, with hope but some dread.
We unloaded the duffles and bags with great care,
In hopes that we would not find beer stashed somewhere.

When out on the quad, came an unearthly whine,
As all texted each other, to say they were fine.
Away to my cell phone, we looked with concern,
But nary a message did we get in turn.

The piercings, the highlights, oh, how they glistened!
They checked out each other, while the parents just listened.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a parent liason, saying "Nothing to fear."

And the smiling dean, so lively and quick,
Asking each family to please buy a brick.
More rapid than eagles, the roommates they came,
I never knew my offspring had garnered such fame.

I need curtains, more CD's, a lamp and a chair,
A new pillow, some snacks and that gel for my hair.
To the Target, the Best Buy, a sweep through the mall,
Then dash away, dash away, dash away all.

They promised to study, they promise more mail,
Daddy was stoic, and Mommy was pale.

They threw out an "I love you," gave a hug, hands were shook.
Then away they all flew, without one second look.
Then I heard them exclaim, as I drove out of sight,
"My parents are gone, tonight's party night!"

-Wes and Diane Fisher