"Don't Fail"

"Don't Fail"
Nat Delbecq, 2014

“Don’t fail.”

Three words, two contracted

Stifle free thought

As I come up with a thesis

To determine my purpose.

“Don’t fail.”

Because a B is okay,

But an A will get me real far

Under a declaration of false intelligence

Penned by our beloved establishments.

“Don’t fail.”

Criticism from the insignificant

Flow through pens,

Suppressing conscience

And drowning paper in empty blotches of ink.

“Don’t fail. Don’t fail. Don’t fail.”

Three words, two contracted

Burn my will,

My thesis unwritten,

My purpose muted ash.

Did I fail?