The Graduate: A Poetic Synopsis

Driftless college graduate spends summer
bedding socialite mother
of girl he loves

Mother
knowing his foible
wants Graduate to stay away from daughter
wants daughter married to wealthy gentleman
who offers security

at daughter's wedding
to parentally approved suitor
The Graduate arrives
and sees bride
at the alter

locked out of church
he pounds on glass doors
Screaming her name
"ELAINE! ELAINE!"
Bride realizes man she's next to
is not the one she wants to spend life with

Graduate and bride
in shocking upheaval
escape church

The pair board a bus
and sit at the back
hand in hand
laughing together, heartily at first
then nervously
then they fall silent
as slowly
the gravity of what they've done
of what lies ahead
of reality
settles in

Roll credits.