They say all good things come to an end, clich\u00e9 been used to\ndeath,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surely at the forefront in the minds of young’uns when that time rolls \u2018round again,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirteen years you climbed up the rungs of the system, saw\noff every challenger, no rematches needed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirteen years led to the final level, where the big boss\nlurks in the distance, answers to three little letters, we\u2019ll get to \u2018em later,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now a brief recap of the past six weeks, that cherished\nintermission over summer,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last remnants of adolescence and of a carefree existence,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drove interstate to visit extended fam, behind the wheel\nstill under supervision,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Red P\u2019s in the horizon but taking it step by step no need to\nbe rushing,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first and final time, the summer break came with\nsome homework,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mounting responsibilities, the kid gloves are off,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No more coasting on easy mode, gonna have to start giving\nmore and more fucks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome back to class, Cowboy, the final level underway,\ndemanding nothing less than your absolute best, better bring your A-game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ain\u2019t much changed since \u201802, perhaps a new student or two,\nanother switched schools,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Same teachers for each subject, the levelling up might as\nwell had never happened,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One unwelcome change, though, those assignments made a\nquantum leap in difficulty,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also in quantity, soon enough juggling five different ones\nsimultaneously,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No rest for the weary, shit is true in more ways than one,\nfree days are numbered, better ration \u2018em like diamonds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And even then you ought to be studying, tests and exams at\nevery turn,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teachers sure to guilt you on the regular, having a life\nbeyond revision means you\u2019re slacking,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matters of scholastics and grades are important to be\ncertain but there\u2019s also social standing,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two ways to make one\u2019s self known among the populace, the\ngood and the bad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To align with all the big players or be the proverbial\npunching bag,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never was interested in the former so you slowly became the\nlatter, refused to conform and blend in so now they\u2019re endlessly trolling,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazed and dunked on but whatever, you won\u2019t be stuck with \u2018em\nforever, but feigning indifference will only amplify their actions,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slowly but surely that stone face will break down, as you\u2019re\nabout to find out, it sure does get lonely when that support system dries out,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Away from the classroom and playground politics, still no place like home, always did serve as a sanctuary, but would come to learn gradually that safe spaces aren\u2019t immune to hostility.T<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" They say all good things come to an end, clich\u00e9 been used to death, Surely at the forefront in the minds of young’uns when that time rolls \u2018round again, Thirteen years you climbed up the rungs of the system, saw off every challenger, no rematches needed, Thirteen years led to the final level, where the … <\/p>\n