Written Word (H.S.) Grand Prize Finalist- Mary

Call-WHAT? College!

City shambles, broken glass, Raised in the ghetto.

 Dad locked up for beating Momma.

That's the lowest of the lows he could go.

 Neighborhood kids offered me drugs.

I hung out with the thugs.

I never got hugs only mugs.

Things didn't turn out for the best.

Life was a mess.

I failed 6th grade, the unreachable was success.

Got held back from the rest.

Maybe it was a test.

That's how it was.

I was never blessed.

When I stared at Momma straight in the eyes.

Her tears welled up to full-size.

I had to clean up my act, I had to be wise.

I promised I'd be good.

I promised I wouldn't mess around in the hood.

I promised Momma I'd get straight-As.

I told myself Yes! I could.

It wasn't easy.

Middle school I started off being sleazy.

Failed at attempts to score high.

The exam came. Do or die.

Spent the whole month studying.

I stared at all the kids around me testing.

I found courage in myself and did the best I could.

Turns out my best was an A I celebrated the news. I saw it as an open doorway. When I went home to Momma she cheered for me For once I saw her truly happy.

For once I used brainpower and worked diligently.

There wasn't any way to stop me from rising high.

College was out of the question. But now it wasn't.

It was possible. I knew it.

College was my destiny. College was my dream.

I'm going to college. I held it to my highest esteem.

Then one day, I got a letter.

I thought nothing could be better.

Until I opened the envelope It said I couldn't go to college.

There wasn't a spot left for me anymore.

I was confused. I was dazed.

I read the words again.

DUE TO THE OVERLOAD OF STUDENTS AT OUR CITY COLLEGES, WE APOLOGIZE TO INFORM YOU THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A SPOT LEFT FOR YOU.

Was this supposed to be an encore?