A Battle of Faces

A Battle of Faces

By: Stephanie Briggs

Who am I?

Each morning I prepare for battle

As this question wages war on my mind.

Armed with textbooks and folders, notebooks and pens, 

I take on the classroom.

I am ready to tackle any assignment and ask questions.

I take care to remain quiet and collected.

This is expected of students who are serious and ambitious.

I ponder deviation…

What would it be like to be careless?

Will I be happier if I ignore expectations?

I ask this because those who are distracted,

And disregard their peers and superiors,

Seem to be having a lot more fun than myself.

With her purse slung at her side,

And her weapon, a cell phone, sheathed inside,

My counterpart plans an attack.

She wants to gossip instead of read,

And text instead of write,

Only because disobeying the rules is what makes you cool.

Sometimes she wonders if she’ll be successful,

But what is success anyway?

Is it a job, a number on a paycheck?

Is there a standard that tells her she’s achieved success?

Which side will be victorious?

The face of the ideal student,

Confident and focused,

Cordial and gracious?

Or the bluff of a socialite,

Faddish and friendly,

Gregarious and trendy?

Who am I?

I am both.