Schooled

"Will this be on the test?"

The question: innocent, not at all inviting trouble,

the student: gleaming, full to the brim with interest.

The second repetition of that strange request

feels smaller, more hesitant, even fragile,

"Will this be on the test?"

They start to learn a new definition of stressed

from homework and lectures increasingly dull,

as grades and scores and resumes slowly replace interest.

And then it seems the student has become obsessed

(though suddenly the work is nearly double)

"Will this be on the test?"

Moving on, and they haven't even processed

the information pounded into their skull,

pushing out all memories of ever having any interest.

Then, after but a few minutes of respite, wrest

from the arms of a demanding schedule,

"Will this be on the test?"

Their eyes are glazed and the answer no longer holds interest.