Congratulations on Graduation

Behind it all,  
Friends cheer and strengthen,  
In sorrow, hardship.  
Benefactors who helped,  
Silently pray for well-being,  
Someone hurt unintentionally,  
Silently forgiving out of love.

Congratulations, graduates,  
Perseverance a rock amid storm,  
Unyielding despite harsh winds,  
Hard work an eternal flame,  
Lighting dark paths, dispelling doubts.  
Hard work a poem never fading,  
Dreams blossom beautifully with every step,  
Remain strong, keep moving forward,  
Not giving up when tested by Allah.

Today marks a new adventure,  
Footprints an example across time,  
Keep learning, growing,  
Knowledge an eternal lantern, never dim.

Congratulations on graduation,  
Welcome to the future,  
Proof dreams can come true,  
With steadfastness, hard work, patience.

Our prayers accompany you, may your steps be blessed,  
Choices filled with wisdom, divine guidance,  
Hope you become wise,  
Serve others, shine as light in the archipelago.

Graduates, remain of noble character,  
Humble, even in greatness,  
Achieve dreams rightly,  
Without betraying conscience,  
Without violating noble ethics,  
Without trading fame,  
Stay honest,  
Without hiding truth, reality.

Congratulations, graduates,  
Remain respectful children,  
Value parents' tireless sweat,  
Remember their sacrifices,  
Repay with love, respect, prayers.  
Without parents' sacrifices, blessings,  
You are nothing.

Padang, September 2023

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*This poem initially published in Leni Marlina's poetry collection in July 2022, revised in July 2023 before digital publication.

**Since 2006, the author has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang. She founded and heads the World Children's Literature Community (WCLC) since 2018. Additionally, she is a member of the Asosiasi Penulis Satu Pena Sumatera Barat since 2022, and involved with the Asosiasi Penulis Victoria - Australia since 2012.