I wanted to thrive there, but I found myself practically dying there

To make room for the facts, equations, theories, and other philosophies

Of other people with too much of an itch for their topic.

My itch has stopped itching. It is "relieved" even if it pains me to refer to the "relief"

Because I had wanted that itch to stay. It was a source of pride and jubilee

When most of life was not.