The Essence of Student, by Annie Kosh

I am the essence of student

I am chins against palms,

I am eyes half closed in a place between here and there.

I am groans held in,

I am minds aching for release.

I am the essence of student

My brain is the notebook everyone writes in.

I am a notebook stuffed to capacity.

I am the cry for success, and at the same time the cry for distraction.

I am the barricade in my own path.

I am the essence of student

I am laughter echoing in the halls.

I am whispers and nudges and sideways glances.

I am tentative smiles searching for approval,

I am the constant, pounding thought, "maybe I'm not good enough."

I am the essence of student

I am sneaker-clad feet propped up on chairs and arms crossed.

I am the taste cafeteria lunch leaves on your tongue,

the same taste as knowing you failed that test.

I am mouths that spit gum into trash cans and then take more,

I am passionate voices spoken out of turn.

I am the essence of student

I am curiosity etched into every part of you,

I am the spark of interest in your heart, desperate to remain alight.

I am tongues stuck out corners of mouths, pencils scribbling furiously.

I am the first easy breath that fills you when you realize it might all be worth it.