Addicting caffeine swirled thoroughly
My daily dose, I couldn't go without
Night lamps on the desk I sit at; this late,
lays by the window overlooking the moon
My towering books and the vibrant flashcards
A world I lose myself in, studying at night
The pen that I always flick endlessly
With which I jot down notes messily
I don't make friends; I already have
My silent companions for the dark
(I'm alone and better for it)
I lay my head down to cry for a moment
When everything gets too much to handle
But as the timer on my sob break rings
I forcefully pick myself back up again
Can't afford to give up at this hour
So I double the stakes instead
(I've got a crowd to prove wrong)
Their laughter echoes in my mind
The humiliation boiling my blood
Fuming my drive to seek revenge
With my grades- the sweetest kind
Who needs cheerleaders to win
When defeated bullies are the
much more satisfying sight
(I'll wait until my day comes)
Most of us teenagers are awake this late
But our nights are nowhere near the same
While you peers like to party and dance
Drowning in alcohol, high on drugs
I'm plotting to get ahead of the rest
This is my fun, my escape from life
An inherent desire for a career
Continues to, forever, burn within
I live for the perfect score on every test
The high of acing the class is unmatched
(Call it academic validation, sure)
When destiny tests me, I retaliate in fury
And it bows down to me eventually
There is no competition besides myself
Even at my lowest, I was perceived a threat
The sour faces of some teachers who hate me
But somehow I always surpass their favourites
All my haters can do is spread idle gossip
But when I turn a deaf ear to nonsense, I win
Parents are busy taking all the credit
But they know deep down, they had no hand
My tireless efforts command everyone's respect
Something even fate cannot take away
(No one gets in my way to success)
I don't accept consolation prizes
Valedictorian will have my name on it
Underestimate and mock me all you like
Hide your jealousy behind the mask of popularity
But when all is said and done, and I'm on the stage
I promise- you'll be looking back on this day
Wondering hard and long, to no avail
Where you went wrong to get defeated
While I'll bask in victory's glory
And all my struggles will be
Finally worth all the pain
(I know I'll get there)
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141,397 Literary Works • 674,387 Reviews
Hi Alex! I thought I'd look through old poems for my RevMo checklist, and this title stood out to me, so here we go!
Firstly, I can heavily relate to this poem.
This first line hooked me in because I have been drinking coffee every morning since I was around 14, as I needed it to keep me awake during school, and I would also have one as soon as I got home from school because I would be so exhausted. When it got to college and university, it was multiple times a day, and even now I can't stop drinking it! It brings me alive and gets me ready to study, but it will always remind me of the long, hard nights during my GCSEs (exams you take at 16 in the UK)
This line really spoke to me. The idea that the studying (and perhaps also the flashcards, the pen) is a companion - but not a friend - is very deep. It can comfort you, but it is not a true friendship. The last line being in brackets and also bold could mean that it's something you're telling yourself, not something that is true.
Ooh okay, I didn't see this coming! The idea that getting good grades is a sport of revenge against the bullies is something I never thought of, but looking back at my time in school, it certainly speaks to me. You can't control who bullies you, or how it makes you feel, but you can control your studyin and grades, and being 'better' at school than them did feel like a sort of revenge!
The worst part is, for me at least, the people out partying also ended up at good universities and with good careers, and whilst I slaved away studying, it made me realise it didn't mean much; in my case at least! Like you're telling yourself this to feel better, but really you desire to be included - maybe not to do drugs or drink, but to be invited and to have fun, that was all that I wanted but I studied instead. (maybe that's not the same for you, but how i interpreted it with my feelings!)
I like the idea that the speaker here is getting a bit big for their boots; i doubt anyone in my year at school looked back and cared that i did well, probably didn't give a second thought. But these grandiose thoughts are what come from bullying and years of studying very hard to prove something, and I think the progression from simply studying late at night to demanding to be seen on the stage is very nice. I also agree, though, that it feels good to do well when others don't, but in my country, these people usually don't care XD
Overall, a really good poem, with a strong and relatable core that I really enjoyed reading!
Hey, rev! Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked it. We're pretty much in the same shoes btw, this poem was meant to be a more satisfying utopia where all hardwork gets converted to results ig. I've still proved wrong the teachers who called me a failure, but I fear I'm still nowhere near my potential as well. Guess we're always reaching for the stars..
Hi, I really like this poem!
It feels like the perfect mix of realistic and comedic, I can really see where the satire tag plays in. It's honestly such a race to the top for all highschoolers looking to go to college, because the stakes just keep getting higher and higher, leading to them becoming obsessive over their grades. I'm an ap/honors student and the pressure I feel knowing how much I have to achieve to be considered for a good university is insane.
The comments at the end of each stanza feel the most comedic to me, making the competition to the top feel like a game of some sorts. The way it's stated, people likely wouldn't take the speaker seriously, and make a fool out of themselves, but speaker doesn't care about how their viewed because it's all worth it to be smart.
This poem is really applicable to today's problem with higher education, it's so unhealthily competitive, but students have no choice but to take part in the competition really.
Hey icarus! Thank you so much giving this a read & dropping such a wonderful review. I'm not sure if comedic was the vibe I was going for, but hey, all varied interpretations are encouraged! XD The satire was mainly to show how the tables turn at the day- the people who mock the achievers themselves can't do half as much- what's a bigger irony than that? The parenthetical lines mostly symbolised inner monologue or added rage but I won't hold your creative deciphering against you. About the very real problem of the current spike in academic competition, I completely agree with you! Though it isn't exactly what the poem talks about, the extended theme sure encompasses that. I enjoyed your unique take thoroughly. I appreciate you taking out the time to read and review this, thanks again.
I really love this. I'm an all A student, and I have to be, I need a scholarship for colleges. So I really relate to this. It feels so raw and real, the feeling of pride, the late study nights. It's all amazing, please continue, you have a gift.
I feel like so many people feel like this, so many people feel burnt out and the school year has barely started.
And, I like how you showed the burning desire for a career, it's real and not enough people talk about it. Normally it's called a phase or dream, especially if it's not a popular field. But, I like when it's shown in literature.
When I'm reading this I can imagine the late night exhaustion, fingers stained in ink flicking around a pen, a lamp illumanting highlighted flash cards.
Hey SpaceSailor! Thank you giving this a read, I'm happy hear you found it resonating. My main objective was to give a voice to the people with an inherent hunger for studying and making oneself a career based on hardwork. Your imagination is a pretty accurate portrayal of what I wanted to get across, so I'm glad I succeed. Thank you for the wonderful comment, I really appreciate. Additionally, welcome to YWS! If you need any help navigating the site, feel free to reach out to me. I hope you find this place to your liking. Thanks again
I like how friendly everyone seems and all the good stories and poems, I'm just struggling getting the point system down. I have all these poem and chapter ideas but not enough points to post.
Glad to hear you find YWS welcoming. About points, we usually earn it by writing reviews. To be a review, a common has to be 1000 character long and you have to press a yes bottom on bottom saying it's original (that you didn't use AI). The next time you review, make sure to press that button so you get the points as comments don't give any points. Green room works give an extra 25 points for reviewing. The number of points you earn depend on the length of work some longer ones give over 1000 points for a single one! You can publish 5 works with that. You can also search up review tips and templates to make your reviews longer and more helpful to the writer
Hiiiii! I'll be reviewing your poem today!
This poem is powerful, honest, and full of late-night determination. I love how you capture the atmosphere of studying with caffeine, flashcards, and a flicking pen—it feels so real. The mix of vulnerability and strength stands out, like when you describe crying but then forcing yourself to keep going. The parenthetical lines are a great touch too, almost like little secret thoughts that add depth. Some stanzas could be tightened for smoother rhythm, but overall the raw intensity really works. It’s bananas how well you capture both the struggle and thrill of chasing success. The ending feels triumphant, and I was genuinely happy to read and review it.
Hey jojo! Thank you for taking out the time to read this and putting your efforts into reviewing it. Yes, I failed to rein in the stanzas and thus they appear a little rough around the edges. I was trying to create more of an effortless and raw feeling. But I'll try to keep in mind to work on my finishing and conciseness in my future projects. Thanks again, for the compliments and helpful feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed it.