Graduation poetry blogging

One of my very favorite colleagues is retiring, and he's going to put on robes and be honored at the graduation ceremony tomorrow. He's the colleague I want to be when I grow up. He's open-minded, willing to ask challenging questions, unafraid of work, thoughtful, caring, respectful, funny as all get out, and wise. I've learned so much from his example here, and I'm going to miss him. But he's been a great example, and if I keep him in mind, I'll be a better person.

So, tomorrow afternoon, I'll be all gussied up to watch my colleague "graduate."

In my colleague's honor, and in honor of our graduates, here's pretty much THE carpe diem poem from Robert Herrick (of "The Vine" fame).

"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time"

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may go marry:
For having lost but once your prime
You may forever tarry.