A former student of mine wrote to me the other day and
asked me for help on an
assignment. She said that her English class
was asked to write a poem on academic integrity. She knows that I have
written really bad poetry in the past and asked for my take on the
situation.
I sent the following:
The sunlight like a dog makes its way across the campus
Marking its territory with light and shadow,
As the night flees like a meter reader with torn pant leg
And racing heart
I slide from my bed and open the blinds
Greeting the day with a squint and a muttered curse
My soul cries out in self-loathing and dread
I am worthless! I am worthless! I am worthless!
The leaves swirl beneath my feet as I make
My way toward the class.
My skin feels damp and slick and I check again
The notes written on my left wrist.
I feel the blood coursing through my veins
Pumped by the heart that is blackened by the ink
Of my cheat notes.
My soul cries out in self-loathing and dread
I am worthless! I am worthless! I am worthless!
She turned it in for her assignment. I would be upset but it so appeals to
my sense of irony.