before and AFTER

His words stung like a slap
from an iron-clad hand
they caught in my mind tearing
my heart apart inside.

"Not meeting the requirements,
You probably won't get in,"
he said, condescendingly.

And after it was over
again I heard a voice
"I've been accepted
you foolish man,"
It said - confident,
self-assured.
"Accepted without your praise,
Without your Abreak a leg.'"

No thanks you'll receive from me
Don't say "I knew her when ..."
I think you said enough
when you said I wouldn't get in.

by D. T., New Britain, CT

D. applied and was accepted to a drama school.