Misfortune plops down in her usual way
With a sigh, rolls her eyes, and begins to say,
“It’s so unfair, they only check
On the infrequent times that I neglect
To finish my homework, or I do the wrong one.
It’s like they know when it’s not done.
“I only get called on when I don’t pay attention.
I skip class one day and I get a detention.
I’m the only one seen when I have my phone out
When I merely whisper, it sounds like a shout.
If I don’t study, we have a pop test,
I can’t get away with these things, like the rest.”
Reality sits silent, but counts in her head
The times Misfortune’s gone off on this thread.
The occasional complaint she could understand,
But every day seems out of hand.
“Being unprepared is your problem, not that of chance.
I’m guilty as you, but I don’t take your stance.
The number of times you’ve complained to me
Indicates it’s more probable than it’s made out to be.
“Just compare your habitual procrastination
With the homework checks causing your vexation
The only way to increase those odds
Is to do your homework, or pray to the gods!”
Bonnie Magland is a member of the class of 2019.