Campus poem: Parents

Campus poet Jan Völkel wrote a poem for all new high school students who are now visiting universities to choose their future education. And for their parents.She raises her hand as if it would be her last chance to say something.
The teacher nods at her and she gives the answer.
I am sure she is right. You can tell by the smile she tries to suppress.

His torso is slightly bent forward.
His eyes hang on the lips of the program director.
He whispers in his daughter’s ear: “Doesn’t this sound interesting?”

Their son has gone to the toilet.
In the meantime, they ask every question he may want to know.
They tick the checkboxes on their list. Sometimes they even make notes.

He walks through the garden, side by side with his boy.
He wears his best shoes and a very old jacket.
They don’t exchange words.

She looks for a place where they can sit down.
She holds her son’s coffee while he gets out his cigarettes.
They smoke together like teenagers while chatting about boys.

His daughter reaches out her hand for the sandwich.
Afterwards, he sifts through the backpack for himself.
I wonder when she realizes how well he is always prepared.

Bekijk meer recent nieuws

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief

Blijf op de hoogte. Meld je aan voor de nieuwsbrief van Univers.