Spacious, vast room in cedar
High and lifted up the judge's platform
With the California Seal above

Below, the wing-shaped table
In obeisance at the foot of order
With boom black mikes rising up
To the 5 formal persons sitting down
Submitted, respectful
Silent, waiting to speak

The white-haired, black-robed
Judge flips and scans Rod's awards
Fancy sheets of 'principal,' honor, attendance
Straight A's festooning the formal records

Then staring down at Rod, he asks informally,
Why are you here?

Rod peers passive

And the parents puzzle the jigsaw
Of their son
And the missing
Parts