More Than Reputation

First day of class I walk in, finding a seat
 
Talking to friends, stories of summer
 
Roll call, hands are being raised
 
My name is said and I respond, "Here!"
 
The teacher pauses and takes a good look 
 
"Any relation to so-and-so?"
 
"Yes, my brother," comes my reply
 
"Out in the hall now," says the teacher
 
A shrug at my friends and I go
 
It's the end of the term and I'm grounded 
 
Grounded for a low grade that's not my fault
 
My friends getting A's
 
I'm doing everything the same
 
But it's never enough 
 
It's not me, but my brother
 
The brother that graduated a few years ago
 
His reputation dominates my own
 
He wasn't good, he wasn't the best
 
Making jokes and pulling pranks
 
You're judging me for his mistakes
 
I'm not him
 
If I can only show you
 
I'm more than my brother's reputation
 
 
 

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