higher education – Poetry by Nathalie

Why are some so successful peddling pedagogy
with advice that is like Instagram poetry?

A mix of truisms, oldies, and basic tips,
is this really what we are going to be stuck with?

The same things, over and over and over,
I crash from idealism to stone cold sober.

Where is the challenge?
Does this rhyme with orange?

Never mind, back to basics,
just make it a bloody remix.

What is my purpose, moving this role,
into which I pour heart, mind and soul?

I am frustrated being stuck
in a structure that sucks
the lifeblood out of excitement,
as long as we can prove fucking constructive alignment!

First draft

Existential threat is brewing in my cup.
The fumes of despair gently wafting up.

Don’t judge!

Naught but a mild case of impending doom,
a pile of marking and various deadlines loom.

I am fine, just fine. Fine.
Nothing to worry.

No one showed up to the webinar room.
Apparently, I didn’t send the link for Zoom.

Also I forgot to check the Moodle forums.
Gotta run to a meeting now so they have a quorum.

No, no I still don’t know what that means.
Can I just have a sip of my coffee please.

My fountain pen leaked all over my backpack.
I stress clenched and another tooth cracked.

Brain the size of a galaxy—and teeny tiny office space.
Oh wait, we are hotdesking now—I make a sour face.

Did I press ‘send’ on that email?
Yup I am living a fairy tale!

Our Article was published last week!
I am on a roll with my output streak!

Don’t judge me by my horrible rhyme!
I am writing this way past my bedtime.

Did I tell? My tbr* pile fell!
I think it registered on the Richter scale.

Still not as heavy as the guilt about all the unticked ‘To Dos’.
Don’t worry I am just having the Monday evening blues.

The plumes of despair gently wafting by.
As I stare into my cup and not so gently cry.

I am fine, just fine. Fine.
Nothing to worry.

*to be read (tbr)