A poem does not need to rhyme
to have merit.
And my sentences do not have to flow with somber
to have substance.

I do not have to personify stairwell
to communicate progress.
I do not have to allude to the bible
to prove I am a Christian.

I do not have to write from personal experience
to create a personal experience.
And I do not have to compete with millions
to prove I have worth.

I do, however, have to go to school.
I do, however, write to go to school.
I would rhyme to go to school.
I would cry to go to school.
I would sketch a verbal depicture of the stairs to Heaven to go to school.

I have to compete with millions to prove I am worthy
to go to school.
A poem does need to send me to school.