I am up before the sun, before the birds have begunIn the dark, in the cold, for there is work to be done.The gas light is on, which I ignore with a yawnRunning on empty in my car in a dawn I punch in at five; the world’s barely aliveHaggard guests stagger in, so sleep deprivedCoffee, anyone? How many sugars? Just one?Then they sip and leave with a You have a nice day, hun. I was up late last night with college essays to writeAnd tests to prepare for so I will do alrightI’m too stressed for my age, reading page after pageFour hours of sleep for minimum wage But I have money to earn and studies to learnNot affording college is a troubling concernI’m over the edge, but this job's my advantage So I can afford what my parents will struggle to manage We do what we do with all we go throughI want to cure cancer, aids, and Tays-Sachs tooI get up in the morning because I love learningAnd if I can afford school, maybe I’ll prevent someone’s mourning