it's good to have you with us

Many have waxed poetic about Dumaguete, buffing nostalgia into new sheen, romanticizing the past and recently folded present. But who could blame those who have orchestrated them, which actually include me, us and many more, bearing thoughts and experiences from having walked its streets at ungodly hours over and over again for four, five or so years? It is hard to explain, but please forgive us. “To ignore complexity/ is to question the generosity of the sky.”

That is why tomorrow, just as the sun would drain its one o’clock light in the afternoon, I would find myself standing on that city again, breathing in its spirit, to attend my closest acquaintances’ commencement ceremony. Silliman University would be a flurry of smiles (and booze-induced carousing) again. The thought of this alone works like a drug.

And just a few hours ago, that very same drug has conspired with the naughty fates of the day. When I turned on the music player this morning, the sound of piano and spoken word gradually filling my ears, I realized I found the perfect song for this year’s graduates. Especially those graduates that I know of.

*

Exitlude
The Killers

Aggressively we all defend the role we play
Regrettably time’s come to send you on your way
We’ve seen it all bonfires of trust flash floods of pain
It doesn’t really matter don’t you worry it’ll all work out
No it doesn’t even matter don’t you worry what it’s all about
We hope you enjoyed your stay
It’s good to have you with us, even if it’s just for the day
We hope you enjoyed your stay
Outside the sun is shining, seems like heaven ain’t far away
It’s good to have you with us
Even if it’s just for the day
It’s good to have you with us even if it’s just for the day
Outside the sun is shining, seems like heaven ain’t far away
It’s good to have you with us.
Even if it’s just for the day
It’s good to have you with us even if it’s just for the day
Outside the sun is shining, seems like heaven ain’t far away