Ode to a Student

In the dead of night

I diligently write

And with my mind

I wrestle and fight -

Is this essay

Worth its while

With all the details

Of form and style

Or am I just

A foolish nerd

Writing reams

Of shit absurd?

Aren’t there better

Things to do

Like write my mother

Or wear out a shoe?

In this essay

I find much fault

And so my pen

Grinds to a halt.

In the wee hours of the morning

Quit I must

Else another faithful student

Will bite the dust.

Jay Moore

19 Dec. 1971

5:30 a.m.