Going To College Is Like Getting Married Poem by Cherie Mort

Going To College Is Like Getting Married



First, a suitor comes knocking
He claims he wants you (as he simultaneously desires so many others)
He offers a bride price, which your parents carefully scrutinize
To see how much the cost will be at their end

As other suitors come along, they haggle over the price,
Driving it up higher and higher
Up up up, until they can get as close as possible
To having their desired suitor pay the full price

Once they are satisfied, they either decide to leave the choice up to you (if you are so lucky) ,
Or they decide for you, giving you over accordingly to the richest suitor at hand
If they decide the latter, you must at least learn to be happy, if only for a little while
Perhaps in a year, if you are still dissatisfied, they will allow you to leave one suitor for another,
Likely to be one they openly scorned at first, for offering such a paltry bride price, and for so expensive a union
If not, then you are surely doomed to this first union of two to four years

Another union is unlikely, unless you are indeed blessed with riches, be it from before or resulting from your first union

Another marriage license, another placard up on the wall in your office,
The number of children borne the same number as the fruits of your labors

Yes, college is indeed much like marriage,
And we lucky few who are happy are thankful every day
That the short time spent together was well-spent,
As the unhappily wed will find themselves grateful to be freed,
And free enough now to guide their own course in life without a parent's commanding hand

Monday, February 6, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: marriage,money,university
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