Pizza and Poetry
I didn't study yesterday. I took an exam at 7:30 and I barely studied. I jogged, fixed a lunch fit for a king, jogged again, had dinner with Mark, then studied for about 20 minutes.
I went to class a little early thinking I'd study before the exam in the classroom--but instead I just stood outside talking to a classmate about how neither one of us studied.
We went into the classroom--most everyone was already seated, frantically cramming--and the professor was busy chalking up the blackboard.
When the professor finished writing, he spread two large pizzas, soft-drinks, and fun-size candy bars across the table, told us that we have until 10 pm and enjoy. Nobody said a word, they were still studying. I was applying my lip-balm.
THE PROFESSOR TOLD US TO BEGIN and nobody moved save their convulsing fingers. I read the exam questions and gazed outside for a moment before I rose to procure a can of diet Coke.
"Pop!" I forced the can open while still hovering above the treat table. Everybody looked up. I turned around, faced the cynics, rose the can to my lips and drank deep. Then I snagged a slice of veggie pizza and returned to my seat.
THE REVOLUTION BEGAN. A dozen students converged on the treat table immediately following my demonstration. I did not look up, I was too engrossed with my own tasty treats, but I heard the symphony of soda can pops like music. "Pop, tsss ... phoot!"
WHAT A GLORIOUS MOMENT, what a glorious victory against the one snotty student that wanted to finish first, but could not manage the distractions!
I TOOK MY TIME, finished my exam eventually, and went home feeling like Joan of Arc. I mentally conceptualized a poem laying in bed last night, so I better get it down on paper, or cyberspace, or whatever.
Gone
She left
a hairclip
on my nightstand
and the scent
of pink roses
on my pillowcase--
then she left.
___________________________
I went to class a little early thinking I'd study before the exam in the classroom--but instead I just stood outside talking to a classmate about how neither one of us studied.
We went into the classroom--most everyone was already seated, frantically cramming--and the professor was busy chalking up the blackboard.
When the professor finished writing, he spread two large pizzas, soft-drinks, and fun-size candy bars across the table, told us that we have until 10 pm and enjoy. Nobody said a word, they were still studying. I was applying my lip-balm.
THE PROFESSOR TOLD US TO BEGIN and nobody moved save their convulsing fingers. I read the exam questions and gazed outside for a moment before I rose to procure a can of diet Coke.
"Pop!" I forced the can open while still hovering above the treat table. Everybody looked up. I turned around, faced the cynics, rose the can to my lips and drank deep. Then I snagged a slice of veggie pizza and returned to my seat.
THE REVOLUTION BEGAN. A dozen students converged on the treat table immediately following my demonstration. I did not look up, I was too engrossed with my own tasty treats, but I heard the symphony of soda can pops like music. "Pop, tsss ... phoot!"
WHAT A GLORIOUS MOMENT, what a glorious victory against the one snotty student that wanted to finish first, but could not manage the distractions!
I TOOK MY TIME, finished my exam eventually, and went home feeling like Joan of Arc. I mentally conceptualized a poem laying in bed last night, so I better get it down on paper, or cyberspace, or whatever.
Gone
She left
a hairclip
on my nightstand
and the scent
of pink roses
on my pillowcase--
then she left.
___________________________