NOBODY'S GONNA MAKE IT

This
is not  a test
you will pass

it’s the only
exam you get
a no-grade final

hate to be
the bearer of
bad reminders
but
nobody’s gonna make it
outta this class
alive

see
you act like
you in control
runnin’ thangs
like you got time
to do it all later
like just know  you got
next week
tomorrow
thirty minutes
from now to
visit
call
profess love
be  with who you love
lend a hand
work things out
act right
backtrack to git it right
forgive
apologize
enjoy what
and who
there is to enjoy
say and do
what’s in your heart

you spend
most of your
class time
livin’ for them
not for you
doin’ what
they  say you should
cuz hey
they  know what you need
like
want
better than you
cuz they think
they qualified
to run  
yo'  thang
like they got time
to do you  
and
them

but this class
is for learnin’
’bout who we are
what makes us tick
gittin’ the happy
we all deserve—  
our  way—
for growin’ into our best
addin’ joy
not stress
to the lives of others
so that when class
is dismissed—
whatever time that is—
and we turn our life in
on the way out
we can say
we got all
the answers right
for ourselves

but don’t squander
away these minutes
kicked back in your chair
thinkin’ you can
just
make this test up
later


tick

tock


you act like
you got time

but you can’t

see


the clock



©2012 Charlene E. Green