Reunion Planning Inspires Comeau to Pen ‘A Nostalgia Trip to High School Days’

Dr. Raymond F. “Toppy” Comeau, 1961 class president and reunion committee chair; Georgia Valhouli and Pam page Traver. (WHAV News photograph.)

Haverhill native and poet Raymond F. Comeau has been working on Haverhill High School/Haverhill Trade School Class of 1961 Reunion Committee. As happens to writers, the work inspired him to craft a new poem, “A Nostalgia Trip to High School Days.”

As WHAV has reported, the reunion—delayed by the coronavirus pandemic—takes place Wednesday, Sept. 18, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Bradford Country Club. Those looking for more information are asked to contact Tom Thornton by emailing [email protected] or calling 603-926-0125.

Now of Belmont, Comeau is a retired dean and current lecturer at Harvard University Extension School. He is also a trustee, emeritus, of the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill.

A Nostalgia Trip to High School Days

Looking back at 81
It is a cosmos
Distant and new
Colors seemed clearer
Going out fresh
Food was tastier
And our bodies were alive
Like Elvis and rock and roll
It was awkward at times
From 14 to 17 years
Passion beyond scope
Insecurity always there
And a mystery
After all we didn’t know much
We were young
Just breaking in
But looking back now
At 81
Imagining faces
So many gone
In hallways and classrooms
At dances
In the stadium rooting loud
What a magical
Bittersweet blast

© Raymond Comeau July 2024

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