Valentine's Day Poem Contest

During the month of February, with the weather cold and scary,
Students hole up inside their dorms, venturing not beyond the doors.
But one exception we do make, for our health and stomach’s sake,
To the icy campus paths we take, dressed warm enough as to explore
The Arctic, we brave the snow and cold to reach the warmth of Commons’ door,
                                Though soon to visit never more!

Alas, the days are fast approaching, our futures on our plans encroaching,
To take us from our home at Bates, to some unknown and foreign place,
Far from delightful Commons’ brunch, time spent at the Silo’s lunch,
The delicious desserts we love so much, will be memories of days of yore,
As end of May soon will bring changes never known before,
                                When we visit Commons never more!

A senior cannot bear to think, the thought doth make his heart to sink,
A meal not served by our friendly family away from home.
The thought of kind, loving faces, brings our memories to places
Sacred in a Batesies’ heart, which soon will be oh so sore
With pains never felt the more, never to pass beyond its doors,
                                When we visit Commons never more!

The mornings shall not be the same, without strong desires I can’t tame
To try new cereals every week, fruit so sweet I cannot speak
Of its great taste.  And donuts, Danishes, cinnamon buns, I wasted
No time in tasting a fresh delight each sunny morn
As I took coffee with friends, times to hold dear evermore.
                                When we visit Commons never more!

Oh! How I shall dearly miss, sesame nuggets which bring me bliss,
And how oft my friends did say, how chicken tenders made their day.
And how my lips did love to greet, cream puffs, so sweet to eat.
Ceasar salads topped with cheese, with a side of carrots and sweet peas,
(The thought could bring me to my knees) will be scrumptious memories of yore.
                                When we visit Commons never more!

How fondly I will remember was Harvest Dinner in November,
With turkey, stuffing, tasty gravy on mashed potatoes blended wavy,
And live music to cheer the crowd, joy passing all around.
A celebration dually shared between those who studied and those who cared,
A meal all Batesies cherish forever, a memory I shall always explore,
                                When we visit Commons never more!

Every senior holds dear to heart special memories, a great part
Of which belong to Common’s staff, whose kinds words did make us laugh,
Even in our days of stress, and Adventures in Dining was the best
Way to raise our spirits high.  We’ll think of this, with a sigh,
And of how much a Batesie owes to that we took for granted before,
                                When we visit Commons never more!

Karalynn Gibson, ’04
Valentine’s Day Poem Contest
Winter 2004