Your Morning Coffee

October 19, 2016

I am up before the sun, before the birds have begun

In the dark, in the cold, for there is work to be done.

The gas light is on, which I ignore with a yawn

Running on empty in my car in a dawn

I punch in at five; the world’s barely alive

Haggard guests stagger in, so sleep deprived

Coffee, anyone? How many sugars? Just one?

Then they sip and leave with a You have a nice day, hun.

I was up late last night with college essays to write

And tests to prepare for so I will do alright

I’m too stressed for my age, reading page after page

Four hours of sleep for minimum wage

But I have money to earn and studies to learn

Not affording college is a troubling concern

I’m over the edge, but this job's my advantage

So I can afford what my parents will struggle to manage

We do what we do with all we go through

I want to cure cancer, aids, and Tays-Sachs too

I get up in the morning because I love learning

And if I can afford school, maybe I’ll prevent someone’s mourning

Something wrong with this poem?

Submitted to a slam

“Greet the Day Scholarship Slam - CLOSED”

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