I’m an island,
my windward shores
bombarded by wave
after crashing wave of
tests,
essays,
and homework;
requests
from students,
from administration,
from the flotsam and jetsam washing ashore.
Demands,
always more demands—
relentless.

All days and all seas
are surely not like this,
are they?
Leaving no time to travel
to the leeward side?
No time to refresh my spirit
by gazing at a tranquil sea?
No welcoming harbour’s arms
to hold me?