By Henriette

I see myself sitting at the table in the theater

Well… sort of a theater…

All my classmates are here

My family is here

All my teachers are here

I’m wearing my special clothes

My favorite Spanish skirt: a whole red circle with little white dots

I made it myself

My ‘gesmokte’ blouse, white

I made it myself

Embroidered the wide sleeves with big different red colored circles

Here I am

The center of attention

I passed my exam

Better then I expected

“Cum laude” says the head Sister

“We’re sorry to see you leave, but you’re having a bright future ahead of you

congratulations!”

Here is you diploma, sign your name

here.

I have practiced my signature

Prepared for this defining moment

I didn’t have a signature, I had to make one up

It looks pretty simple

I don’t know if it is a good one - a good signature that will last the rest of my life

I think it will do

This is my diploma, the gateway to society…. FREEDOM

What will I do next?

Everyone is watching

Sign now

Where?

Here – there? – no, here

I am so nervous

I forgot how to write, how to make this signature

I sign – I do it!

… toooooo careful, too insecure

IT LOOKS STUPID

Like a child’s signature

Totally insignificant signature

I ruined my diploma

I cannot do it over

This is it

For the rest of my life

This stupid looking ‘cum laude’ diploma

This childish signature

This baby step – of my real life