We pretzel again and again
various motivations, myriad forms
match what the media makes mandatory
what this age is meat to be
tests, technology, computerized success
possibility and wait
terrifying trajectory
at what cost do we leap
what lily pad we do we leave
the onslaught of your beliefs:
“They’re too young to know what’s good for them”
“Test them regularly”
“Are your kids going to be prepared for the SAT?”

Listen carefully
when hearing such critiques
do not become defensive
do not cry
be willing to change
never feel stuck
do not commit to your ideals
that you think are forming
drop all security you’re grasping

you are everyone else

there is nothing special about you
watch the masters copy the masters
have patience
if you’re hard enough on yourself
someday your posture will improve
you will stand for something worthwhile.