the meaning of a college degree

for years our iced cream was stolen
     though we'd promised the girl
    we would pay

           for the cookie dough
          the summer nights
         the touch of finger
        of lips

    we promised
         with the lilt
            of a child's cookie jar grin
still,

for years our iced cream was stolen
     we promised ourselves
     long afer it was served
     and swallowed
     we would pay 

        for our joy
             the dreams we took without asking

        for us
             it was the wrong way
            the hard way
            any way but the right way
            but still

we keep our promises
     today,

        here is your receipt