Marks are high,
Teachers praise,
But, I can't help but look behind me at the stragglers.
Why do the teachers always check in on me?
What about the stragglers trying even when they have so many fails?
I find it unfair.
I begin to hate who I am.
The high marks.
They do not define me.
And I won't let them define me.
No, I won't.
Not my parents, not my teachers, nor my peers.
And then, slowly I fall from my academic high.
Oh, how painful it is to see so clearly what I lack.
But it remains out of reach.
And now, I find myself looking at my past.
Oh, how happy I was.
How innocent.
Always happy to see those 90s and 100s.
And now, look at them.
80s and 70s.
How much does 88 differ from 90?
"Not a lot," most would say.
But when you say, "How much does 88% differ from 90% on a test?"
The tune changes.
From normality to excellence.
A wide chasm that I can no longer cross.
But, I think a little harder.
Am I content with life?
Mostly.
Am I my own person?
Yes, I'm no longer the numbers in red on paper.
And so, I think I've won in my own way.
I've created my own path.
That's how I see it.
And if the parents and teachers are blind to it, let them.
I will walk my path happily.
For no longer do I have the heavy burdens on my shoulders.
I am happy.
Even if everyone is disappointed, I no longer care.
I have no burdens.
I am happy.
So, when they ask what happened to my academic excellence, I will ask them:
"Why should I carry such heavy burdens on my shoulders, when I am merely 13?"
Feb 13
Feb 13, 2026 at 3:27 PM UTC
Marks are high,
Teachers praise,
But, I can't help but look behind me at the stragglers.
Why do the teachers always check in on me?
What about the stragglers trying even when they have so many fails?
I find it unfair.
I begin to hate who I am.
The high marks.
They do not define me.
And I won't let them define me.
No, I won't.
Not my parents, not my teachers, nor my peers.
And then, slowly I fall from my academic high.
Oh, how painful it is to see so clearly what I lack.
But it remains out of reach.
And now, I find myself looking at my past.
Oh, how happy I was.
How innocent.
Always happy to see those 90s and 100s.
And now, look at them.
80s and 70s.
How much does 88 differ from 90?
"Not a lot," most would say.
But when you say, "How much does 88% differ from 90% on a test?"
The tune changes.
From normality to excellence.
A wide chasm that I can no longer cross.
But, I think a little harder.
Am I content with life?
Mostly.
Am I my own person?
Yes, I'm no longer the numbers in red on paper.
And so, I think I've won in my own way.
I've created my own path.
That's how I see it.
And if the parents and teachers are blind to it, let them.
I will walk my path happily.
For no longer do I have the heavy burdens on my shoulders.
I am happy.
Even if everyone is disappointed, I no longer care.
I have no burdens.
I am happy.
So, when they ask what happened to my academic excellence, I will ask them:
"Why should I carry such heavy burdens on my shoulders, when I am merely 13?"
