While the world sleeps
A high school student weeps
Doubled over in that chair
Feelings sweep over of despair

Fingers tremble along lettered keys
Begging to God- please, oh, please
Blinded by a screen’s bright white
To stay awake- fight, fight, fight

The time is tantalizingly ticking
No information is mentally sticking
But those books loom over in the night
Taunting, during the struggle to do right

Push, push, push- Harder!
Expectation: to be the martyr
Chasing the reality of a dream
To reach success isn’t what it seems

Inevitably I cry out in pain
Sob against the indifferent window pane
“Stop! Stop! Stop!” – I muffle the silent sound
I couldn’t help it- I shut down.