An Ode to Public Education

They say we succeed

But we see no success

Just children still drowning

In their own stress

 

Forced conformity set for

Kids of all ages

Little do they understand

We all learn at different stages

 

We walk down the halls

Broken in soul and in mind

A helpful veneer

But nobody’s that kind

 

If you can’t keep up

It’s better left unsaid

You’ll get through it

If you don’t wind up dead

 

Some take a bullet

Others take a leap

You better be ready to pay

For the price of freedom is steep

 

Priorities are never straight

And the double standards are set

People will judge you

Before you’ve even met

 

A piece of paper

Determines our status

If those letters don’t change

Parents won’t even look at us

 

At the end of the day

It’s ironic that I find

That they still believe

No child’s left behind

This poem is about: 
My community

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741