Degree in Sensibiliry

In my youth, I missed out on some big events

many of my peers had the pleasure in which

to participate. One of those was graduation

commencement from high school. I dropped

out as a junior and never received my degree.

Same thing happened four years later, I missed

those college years and was unable to matriculate.

I know the emphasis was on getting a formal educa-

tion. I guess you could say I got my degree on the

streets, at the school of hard knocks.

But one thing I noticed in the many graduations I

did attend as a visitor since then, it pertains to the

wearing of the traditional cap and gown. The part

I like best is when hundreds of graduates toss their

tasseled caps into the air at the ceremonious end.

I ask myself, how in hell is a guy or gal to know which

cap belongs to them? They are rentals you know,

and there is a deposit to be accounted for.

For me that would be when the common sense of

the streets kicks in and trumps the formal degree.

My intellectual capacity after the maelstrom of the

cap-tossing would lead me to at least ask around.

I may not have a degree from some highfalutin

university, but, hey buddy, I can plainly see you’re

a holdin’ two caps in your hands, and by God, one

of ‘ems got to belong to me. My mama didn’t

raise no dummy.

-30-

Chris Hanch 2-10-2020