Questions for the Teacher
Teacher, could I ask you for some advice?
What should I do for the rest of my life?
The works of Whitman and Dickinson
Lack a definite answer to my question.
Will you say “only you can find the answer”?
Or “you’ll find out when you’re older”?
Teacher, is there a formula to calculate the percentage of success?
Will my SAT score guarantee happiness?
Is it selfish to want to only relive memories?
To want to live a life free of worries?
Will you say “only you can find the answer”?
Or “you’ll find out when you’re older”?
Teacher, could you tell me what your dreams were?
Were they tangible or forgotten as you grew older?
What does growing up actually mean?
Will you tell me “only you can answer that” or something?
Teacher, is it okay to live like this?
Uncertain, confused, a future amiss?
“You won’t find the answer in your textbook”
Then please tell me where to look.
“There is no right place so keep moving forward”
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*