It was all drawing to a close, still some last minute business but done with assessments and taking notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bade farewell to peers and teachers alike, a fun day at the junior campus the prize,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A makeshift carnival the order of the day, inner children coming out to play,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wasn\u2019t feeling it at all, sadly, the previous weeks and months had taken their toll,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Treated like an outsider by the population so two middle fingers towards the fuckers,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The formal was up next, wore a white suit just like I did in year ten,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sat on the sidelines watching the others, couples dancing, friends reminiscing, got me wondering if in ten years they\u2019ll still be together?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came graduation, finally got my flowers for my efforts,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Couldn\u2019t give two shits about it, just wanted to go home and be done with it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slim and pale in that photo, school blazer, tie and trousers fitting loosely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Could\u2019ve doubled as an alternative rocker and just as cynical and angsty,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The showdown is on, the final boss out there still smouldering,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fourth term the battleground, time to put to test thirteen years of grinding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Term three break no picnic, it was heads down and studying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eat, sleep and revise twenty-four-seven, weekends temporarily non-existent,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expecting torture but truthfully found it strangely enjoyable,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading notes on my lonesome while the radio\u2019s playing, quite the soothing experience,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day one of testing finally arrived, initial confrontation with that final boss,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My specialty up first, feeling confident compared to most,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still in the days of handwriting, putting pen to paper, of battling dominant hand cramping,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regurgitating notes memorized onto paper, trying to sound coherent while the mind and heart are racing,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day after day knocking \u2018em over like bowling pins, strangely felt on top of things,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That strict routine paying dividends, felt that hitting the nineties was possible,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First week done and dusted, confidence rather high,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the beast still lives, might have in store for me a big surprise,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Second and third weeks came and went, time away from the arena spent in my little room,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Took breaks when I could, not for long, Rocky <\/em>soundtrack helping to set the mood,<\/p>\n\n\n\n That bus pass been gathering dust fast, P-plates ensure I can commute on my lonesome,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still feeling strangely relaxed, pre-examination jitters had long passed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final week arrived, at last, two more hurdles before freedom,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Not long to go, Kiddo, go out guns blazing.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Took care of the first before the second and last,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final school exam ever, 13 years went by so fast,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entered that great hall one last time, accompanied by the final group of peers and teachers I\u2019d ever see,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nothing but dry eyes here, won\u2019t be exchanging hugs and kisses with \u2018em, just want to get this over with, hop in my ride then leave \u2018em,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Took a seat not far from the door, Rocky <\/em>soundtrack pumping through my mind once more,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plenty of writing will be involved, guaranteed that hand will be sore,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pen to paper, jotting down responses while the hours are ticking,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finished with half an hour to spare, finally, the final level completed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sat down in silence in a state of semi-meditation, taking in this winning feeling,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dismissal arrived once three hours had elapsed, gathered my things then walked out the back,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Straight to the parking lot, two now-former classmates bade me farewell,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grudgingly waved back, saw them off with a glare, hopped in my ride then drove off out of there,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrived home early, relief washes over, school\u2019s out forever,<\/p>\n\n\n\n No blaze of glory as previously envisioned, student life ending without celebration,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The kid gloves are off, real life is about to begin,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which way will you go? How far will you reach? Choice is yours, Kid, it\u2019s yours for the taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Postscript:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Snail mail came knocking weeks later, moment of truth finally arrived,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waiting for this a long time, let\u2019s check out that UAI,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fell short of the desired mark but still a passing grade,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Felt let down in way but a pass is still ok,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is clearer, but that\u2019s not to say it\u2019s set in stone,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still adrift at sea, sailing to nowhere on a dingy boat,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much to their annoyance, their first-born seemingly on a hiding to nothing,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Failed to plan, planned to fail, thirteen years of schooling with nothing to show for it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then the Tax Office came calling, the work front taken care of,<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for further studying, signed up for a Cert IV TAFE course,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seemingly back on track, feeling on top of the world,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Could only get better from here, sadly it just wasn\u2019t to be,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cut off from that nice-paying job, back to square one once more,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good times, they never last, got me feeling gutted and ripped off,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Need to press on anyway, hoping for something better \u2018round the corner,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the distance a storm is brewing, thunderclouds are gathering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was all drawing to a close, still some last minute business but done with assessments and taking notes, Bade farewell to peers and teachers alike, a fun day at the junior campus the prize, A makeshift carnival the order of the day, inner children coming out to play, Wasn\u2019t feeling it at all, sadly, … <\/p>\n