Bittersweet Knowledge

12 years of education and what did I learn?

In kindergarten, I learned that being obedient got me that gold star

That listening and behaving would get me far

Because following those who already been through it, was strategic

And that imagination was important because if you could believe it, you could be it.

From first to second grade, I mastered the art of caring

That it did not matter what race, religion, color you were; I didn’t mind sharing

And in third grade, I moved to a new school

I learned that, that was a place outside of a place

And that there was so much more to explore

In third grade, I learned to expand my horizons and open its door

In fourth grade, I experienced my first blackmail

One wrong word slipped out of my mouth and she held my life against it

I learned of humility and that forgiveness was not always given

In fifth grade, I experienced failure, which was key to my motivations driven

From sixth to eighth grade, I was alone but not really

I made my first friend and then the rest of my friends

I learned that rumors start and friendships end

I learned that it was okay to be alone

And that you couldn’t impress everyone

Freshmen year, I learned that school was prison

I dreaded each day and I questioned where was the wisdom

I learned my parents didn’t hate me

But they were disappointed in me, but hatred was all I see

Because I hated myself

From sophomore year, I learned that everyone will put you down

People will throw names at you because you deserve it

Because I AM fat, illiterate, unworthy, stupid

And I will never make it in life

Well in junior year, I learned to not give a fuck what anyone says

That my spoken word was all that mattered

Now it’s my senior year and what did I learn?

I learned that I had to work hard to get to where I am

And the best way to go, is to be who I am.