A little poem about your life

This is a little poem about your life

Education, that is, to be precise.

Allow me to tell a little lay,

Maybe funny and fairly gay,

Of a conversation between

A student who was quite keen

And a professor, always shrewd,

Often funny, and somewhat lewd.

Pay attention to what they say

And think likewise you shall someday.

Our tale starts with the professor,

A made up one, yet something more:

"Hark! Where do you go, little young man?

Why do you walk as fast as you can?"

Than the good student did say:

"To class, of course, out of my way!"

"Do not brush me off so quickly,

Even though I am old and sickly.

I have a question, if I may?"

"So tell me what you have to say;

I have so little time to waste,

Hurry old man, say it in haste!"

"What is an education?

Or is college a vacation?"

Said the professor with a smile.

The student thought only a while

And did reply with confidence

Albeit a slight and awkward wince:

" 'Tis obvious, are you a fool,

Course I know the point of school."

"Pray, do tell me, I want to know,

What thoughts, if any, in your head flow."

"Education is for the world,"

So did his nascent thoughts unfurl,

" ''tis of course the world of money,

That's what makes my life all sunny.

And 'tis to get a better job

Than the rest of the unwashed mob.

Silly man, you provoke laughter

Education's for what's after!

'Excuse me while I go to Braker

I've had enough, you trouble maker!"

The sly professor did reply:

"I see you want money, but why?

'Tis for a house, a car, a chair,

T'impress a lady with golden hair?

Perhaps you do enjoy fine things,

Yet tell me the pleasure that they bring.

Is money just for money's sake:

The more you get, the more you make.

Money may buy you a cute wife

But do you think there is more to life?"

"If not for money, than what for?

I can't think of anything more."

Replied the student with a blush,

Eyes squinting and an awkward hush.

"Why cause you all this strife, old man,

I've given you more time than I can.

I regret to say I cannot stay,

Off with you, I must be on my way."

Said the student while he lingered,

Twisting a string round his finger.

"Another question I must ask of you

Responses so varied, answers so few.

So linger around a bit more,

Perhaps you shall see what 'tis for:

A new way of life, a secret lure _

Come, let us make another tour,

It may cause you toil and strife

Yet in the end a better life.

What is the greatest happiness,

And how get you to such blessedness?"

Now the student was quite surprised,

All it took was a'look in the eyes.

He was at first indignant _

Now leaning towards the complacent,

His mind blank kn'ing not what to think,

Yet from this task he could not shrink.

He knew to this he must respond,

Yet how live a'fish outside his pond?

He can look at the land and balk,

Or confront the darkness and walk.

" 'Tis not money, that you have shown,

Maybe this I have always known.

I always thought money made life-

Yet 'tis what 'thout a wife?

I cannot make love to a car,

Its cold, and my parts it would mar.

'tis a tough question that you pose,

Beautiful and sharp as a rose,"

Thus spoke the student as he thought:

"Surely know I not, I must be taught!"

"Thus you have something in your head,

Alive it is, formerly dead.

You! Wake up from your mortal sleep,

Now's the time the benefits to reap.

My last question takes much longer,

Yet already you are stronger.

So let us return to the first,

I'll ask again, you can't do worse,"

And this time with animation:

"What's the point of education?"

This is the charge that you shall keep,

Talk again I will to you next week.



Matt Holbreich has yet to declare a major.