Examinations
Examinations Everything has been building to this day - Self-expectations, to cope, weigh heavy, And as you enter the room The light stings your bleary eyes, The smell of cleaning products dominates, The clock ticks too loudly, “You may start now”. Papers rustle And pen-lids click and drop like thunder Onto hard shiny tables With metal legs that squeak and scrape Just like the chair legs As your classmates fidget Taking your eyes’ and ears’ attention, You aim to sit still But feel the tags and seams from your clothes Sinking into your skin, The windows cast reflections on every surface Which make you wonder - Are the clouds shaped like that because… That cereal I had is still in my teeth, I'll just clear that then I'll be settled, I feel thirsty But if I drink I'll need the loo And I can't be going now, or later, And anyway what if I lose my train of thought? I must focus… Yes I must focus… But what if I… That smell is rank! Can you stop rustling your papers please? ...