Hands Slipping From Priceless Prize Poem by John Sensele

Portfolio theory and investment management stole my sleep
Up and down I paced grounds of Copperbelt University
As anxiety told my soul I was once again about to weep
When fright stalked my bosom in its stark diversity

But the examination paper beamed a smile
On my face as my fountain pen raced
Mile after mile
Great answers in droves surfaced

Question after question I wired
Clarity and temerity
My bid for survival inspired
As integrity and sincerity

Munched minutes
Devoured hours
More and more hints
Supplied more answers as Providence powers

Manifested in full
To propel the success
Detractors with eyes concealed in wool
Predicted stress to buttress

Their claim
For my academic demise
In all but name
As in their view my hands slipped from the priceless prize

Receded from my grip further and further
And doubt stalked and swamped the confidence
That my mind and body stitched together
As certainty of success to me flew from Providence.