The alarm was set to ring at 6 o’clock,
in the morning, Eastern Standard Time.
A sound that she would grow to hate
by next week.

Falling asleep doesn’t seem so bad,
7 hours of rest, nothing to worry about or dread.
It isn’t until the alarm clock sings the song
That can rouse the lifeless, does the panic set in.

The covers' warm embrace was replaced by a chilling still breeze.
There’s only two more years, she tries to remind herself.
But, this is the year that determines her future.
Legs swinging over the bedside,
She stumbles in search of a light to guide her.

Her head swarmed with
Projects, due dates, and tests.
It’s a month in and the end seems so far.
Having six classes a day is like running a marathon,
Leaving her wheezing at the finish line.

At the end of the long day, she looks forward
To pulling the warm covers up to her chin
And resetting her alarm for 6 o’clock.
For those 7 hours, the stress is forgotten.