Outlined expectations,
preset agendas,
schedules and a wide grading curve.
Ah for the life of academia,
boldness and nerve;
before fuzzy deadlines and requirements;
structured indifference;
and high level responsibilities
with or without the authority
to complete them.
Oh for the days where overwhelming bills
included books, school credits,
and how far $50 dollars worth
of groceries could stretch.
Back when I thought a school loan
was a high debt
and cell phone bills
would kill me.
Long before mortgages,
utilities, and home improvements
billed me.
Back when college tuition fees
were created by me
and paid by someone else.
Back when I didn't know babies were expensive
'cause I had put all that on the shelf
of tomorrow.
Back when sorrow meant
she broke up with me
and divorce was just a word
in the dictionary;
When war experience was derived
from history books and CNN.
Back when I had no point of reference
'cause there was no where I had been.
When "I'm broke" meant
I hadn't called home yet
'cause my parents weren't in.
Back when I had plans to change the world
and couldn't wait to begin.
Back when I was a genius,
and my parents
were dumber than sin.
But it seems I know so much less now
the world was much more clearer then.
When life came with Cliff notes
and previous papers from seniors.
Where you could recreate yourself
because you'd never been there.
Where courses were taught
and all answers, pre-given.
When campus popularity
designated how you were livin'.
Where social promotion came
one party at a time
and your special niche
was something easy to find.
When me and
my band of friends
had all the answers to life's problems and
in protest
we shouted them out loud.
Sigh... but it seems I knew so much more then.
I'm so much dumber now.
Author notes
Louisburg College; Mathematics AS.
North Carolina Central University; Mathematics BS.
- Spoken Word Poets Society group list • next in list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Wow! I loved this poem. You did it once again. You never cease to amaze me and you are very constant in your poetry.
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I like it.
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i really really like this, as we grow sometimes we get wiser yet are better off knowing less because when we know less we are more naive and less vulnerable, in some sorta way. i remember school days and i can identify with much of this
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I can truly identify with this wonderfully worded piece. If I could just get this through to my kids now that being grown means taking responsibility and let me blow my money again. LOL
. Rewarded 4
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Wow...this seems that this could describe my life later on when I'm done with school and everything. I especially liked:
'Back when I was a genius,
and my parents
were dumber than sin.'
I still think this sometimes. I missed reading your work. Great write.
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Yessir... This sums it all up perfectly:
"...But it seems I know so much less now
the world was much more clearer then."
Write on. One.
Dez
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This is so true poet! You addressed the prompt perfectly. Good luck in the contest!
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I like this a lot. It is so true! Nicely worded and expressed. What college/university did you go to?
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Louisburg College (junior college)
North Carolina Central University (Bachelors)
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