Poetry as exorcism

How to Survive Graduate School

First, you must be sure of yourself,
sure of your reasons.
Money is a reason. Be sure to have plenty.
Be sure you are ready
for long evenings, bloodshot eyes,
the same same same same discussions over and over
forever and ever amen. Be sure
to have plenty of chocolate on hand,
and booze – whatever kind you prefer – but plenty.
Be assured your time will be siphoned
drop by drop – painfully –
like syrup through a narrow straw,
shaken loose like gold dust from gravel in a sieve –
you are the gravel – just the same
dusty gritty tired-eyed worn-down chipped-off
hardscrabble grimy colorless worthless gravel
forever and ever amen.

© 2011 April K Szuch