The Debt

The Debt

I would change the way we pay

For our children’s education, for what they learn per dollar

We could make it affordable, take care of our own

Release the untapped potential,

Dammed by a dollar sign on an acceptance letter.

Help take down the price of building a future,

Of building a life after the school that built you.

I would make it so it’s fair, so that equal opportunity is equal

So that race and religion, wealth and worth do not discriminate

With the same chance for a child born poor to receive a degree

Based off of his work, his sweat blood and tears

His power to overcome outweighing the power of his wallet

The first generation high school graduate

Future surgeon, future human rights activist, future president

Future role model

Doors to success open through triumph

And shut by thick, black numbers

On a pale student finance letter

Telling her how much her future is worth,

How much she’ll pay back in interest

For the next thirty years of her life

The debt her children will suffer

The track star, riding on an athletic scholarship

To the college of his dreams.

A torn calf muscle, the grim reaper of his future

His family working more hours they can sleep,

So a son can have the opportunity they never had

The pain and confusion piling up

Almost as fast as the bills that won’t be paid on time

As fast as the basic needs that can’t be filled

And the stomachs that will stay hollow

Is it worth it?

Paying off four years for the thirty

Worrying about the next bill that will come

The next paycheck that might not

It’s easier to quit, work out of high school

Never chase your dreams, the cost is too high

Why not charge less, why not inspire the hopeless

And create the hopeful, the passionate

The successful

Or at least they would be

If they could afford it…