melted

seven seconds late

to the deadline you're submitting
fourteen years of your life
divide it by two, seven years
add two, nine years of schooling
subtract two, you're seven seconds late
what does the teacher say?
you're better than seventies, you know that
add twenty, your goal's set high
subtract forty, you've failed miserably
add forty, ninety minutes until the bell rings
what does your heart say?
you're borderline one sixty, you know that
divide it by two, you're under a spell
multiply by two and you're racing against time
subtract ninety, you won't flatline
divide by ten, back at seven seconds too late
they tried to save you, they did
but you just didn't try hard enough
seven seconds too late
your seven dreams cast into seven seas
torn into seven pieces, too late
it's seven in the morning and the bell rings
and your brain screams and you can't take it
seven seconds too late
and you fall down again, you're over yourself
in every interpretation
you couldn't/wouldn't breathe
they tried to save you, they did.

thank you for 9k.