Non-Traditional Student

Pushing ambition at six p.m.
Upon a rickety cart filled with dusty rags,
And toilet bowl cleaner,
Leaving little room for either.
The stench of contentment all around.
Balancing anxiety and fortitude
On a tray of vodka martinis,
Aching eyelids, resilient smile.
“Would you like an apple pie with your order?”
Three semester hours, or an internship?
One week of overtime,
Will buy the book for Calculus Two.
Aspirin eases tension from a tired body,
Pizza calms the angst of a History test.
Will offspring’s value the sacrifice?
Snooze buttons award nine more minutes of rest.
Ambition pushes at four a.m.

~sbnl