A Metamorphoses of Life Goals

From elementary to high school,

silence dried my words.

No longer could I play games

or watch anime the same way,

when I had no choice but to be

committed to six classes per year.

Grades were important for college--

and I didn't want to disappoint family.

College goals mattered--a pick in the career

meant the future was misery or satisfaction.

From high school to college,

independence became a thing.

Living three years strong,

barely managing to budget

myself to what college stripped me out

of my shell. Cooking for self

because high school never taught life essentials.

Stressing self over bills

because this is how life will be forever.