u n e q u a l

the equation

was laid out in front of me

before i even knew addition

good grades + good college = success

bad grades + no college = failure

they made sure

i did not forget that lesson

they drilled into my head

that the letters written on a paper

held more worth than a smile

so i fulfilled the equation

that equals success

i did everything to perfection

but no one ever told me that

success ≠ happiness