Graduation and the “V” formation
By fumi-tome ohta, High Desert Branch
A message to the graduation class of 2023.
It’s 6:30 in the morning and I’m on my way to work. In the distance, I see two teams of birds flying towards me. At first, they look like scattered birds but it turns out they were migrating ducks. These teams were two separate groups soon to turn into one. It was not unusual to see small flocks of ducks meet then turn into one. I have seen such wondrous scenes before but these two groups were much larger in size.
When they met, they flew about in readiness to form one migratory ‘V’ formation. There was confusion forming their traditional lineage. True, they were larger than the usual sized groups and I’m wondering if they were having dispute with some kind of hierarchy in the sky. I continued watching them as they tried repeatedly to form their ‘V’ formation.
When they finally got into left and right formations, two thin parallel lines appeared, looking like chopsticks, not looking like their proud and traditional ‘V’ formation they seemed to instinctively know that something was amiss. Next, they scattered about, flying erratically like puzzle pieces being mixed on a tabletop. In the scatter, the leader got lost in the chaos. Then from chopsticks to puzzle pieces they formed a bulbous pointed oval. The oval began to spread out and a pivot point appeared then the left and
right wings appeared that turned into a perfect ‘V’ formation.
Mesmerized and feeling very proud of these ducks, I watched the group pass before me. I caught sight of the pivot point…the leader. In this brief moment I visualized the leader’s eyes scan the areas above and below him (or her) to any dangers in the sky then eyeing to the left then to the right keeping a visual vigil of his fellow migrants.
I continued watching the formation pass in review from an erratic and chaotic mess to one of a perfect union. What I saw in the sky was akin to life’s road in life. The ‘V’ formation reminded me of graduation.
Dear Graduate, the challenges of tomorrow call you. Do you hear them?
Good luck and congratulations
This inspiring essay first appeared in the May 2023
Inkslinger, newsletter of the High Desert Branch.