Entitled to a pursuit,

To live a happy life,

But how can one achieve this,

When the necessities,

Cause much strife?

 

Within this progressing world,

Higher education,

Has become a must;

Yet it is a struggle,

To pursue it,

As it has turned,

Into a contest.

 

A system has emerged,

Which requires of you three things:

Outstanding grades,

Participation in events,

And an endless supply of money.

 

In the real world, however,

The ignorant creators,

Of this system,

Will quickly see,

Reality rarely produces,

An individual,

Naturally comprised,

Of this trinity.

 

No, in the real world,

You will find,

Real people,

Each with a unique,

Story to share;

But the ignorant creators,

See you only as a candidate,

And on the subject,

Of your story,

The simply do not care.

 

Then this broken system,

Either breaks you,

Or ignites a fire,

Deep inside;

Some will rise and compete,

While others,

Will run and hide.

 

Endless hours,

Will be devoted,

To finding,

A way to win;

Essay upon essay,

Will be composed,

Every penny,

Quarter,

And dollar,

Will be counted.

 

Sleepless nights,

Will carry over,

Into never ending days;

Stuck in this vicious cycle,

Until the last loan,

Has been paid.

 

But what if,

A world existed,

Where higher education,

Was Not a Privilege,

But a Right;

And everyone,

Had an Equal Opportunity,

To pursue a happy life?

 

Perhaps then,

The fatherless child,

Whose mother,

Works through the night,

Would have as much,

A chance at success,

As the Harvard student,

Who parties away his full ride.

 

The tides of change,

Are upon us,

The winds have shifted,

Up above,

It is our responsibility,

To end the competition.

 

From the pursuit of happiness,

No one,

Should ever be denied!

And if education,

Assists in this pursuit,

It should Never,

Be a Privilege!

It should Always,

Be a Right!