Preparation by Amy Cotter

You either go to college or fail in life.

That is what my high school taught me.

No elbow room for jr college,

community college,

or specialty school in their eyes.

A four year university was

the only way a person was going to succeed in life.

They trained us how to look the best

in the university’s eyes,

but ask how to pick a career

and they lead you out of their office.

There came a time

when I stopped listening to their claims.

Life was about making impressions,

but you had to know how to live life

not only how to apply to colleges.

Told any teacher that

and they would kick you out of their class.

Their view limited to academics

rather than the real world.

Open your eyes and see

what you can’t get

from that limited living.

We need to break through the walls

and give ourselves the view of freedom.

___________________________________________________

Poem of the Day: Sadie and Maud

BY GWENDOLYN BROOKS

Maud went to college.   

Sadie stayed at home.   

Sadie scraped life

With a fine-tooth comb.

She didn’t leave a tangle in.   

Her comb found every strand.

Sadie was one of the livingest chits   

In all the land.

Sadie bore two babies   

Under her maiden name.   

Maud and Ma and Papa   

Nearly died of shame.

When Sadie said her last so-long   

Her girls struck out from home.   

(Sadie had left as heritage

Her fine-tooth comb.)

Maud, who went to college,   

Is a thin brown mouse.

She is living all alone

In this old house.