Diplomas over Dreams

“Can you read the text loud and clearly?”

Teacher, can you read the boy’s mind,

And see what he’s thinking?

“Why did the scholar want to jump off the building?

Does anyone know?”

Who doesn’t know?

“Did you finish writing your essay yet?”

Did you see the boy wrapping tape around his neck?

Is it okay if we keep living like this?

“What should I do?”

I don’t have an answer.

Time and time again I found myself

Surrounded by papers with large red letters

That established my worth as a student.

This is fine,

I’m satisfied,

That is how I lived.

But when I closed the textbook

I realized,

It will be all worthless in the end.

“Yesterday’s homework was to

write about your identity,

So why did you turn in

a blank sheet?”

Because I finally understand what everyone means

When they said they don’t know

When they said they are lost.

Am I reading the text loud and clearly?

Did you figure out what the absent boy was thinking?

Do you understand why the scholar wanted to jump off the building?

Do you know the answer?

Do you know the answer?

I didn’t finish writing my essay yet,

Were you able to loosen the tape around that boy’s neck?

Tell me how much longer must we live like this?

What is the answer?

Tell me the answer

“Please recite Avogadro’s number.”

“Please recite your ten year plan.”

“Why are you unable to recall your dreams for the future?

Why did you throw them down the drain?”

You already know the answer.

Why the hell must I lose sleep to memorize

A bunch of shit that I’ll forget within time?

Why must a measly paper with percentages determine my future?!

“What do you want me to do?”

I don’t know anymore.

*please leave feedback in the comments, I’m new to this*