the american dream

exhausted.
my body aching
my soul depleted
exhausted.

daddy told me long ago
that if i work hard enough
if i strive long enough
if i dream big enough
that i could do anything.

so i went to college.

counselor told me to build up a resume
so i double majored
i got all a's
i filled my schedule with
curriculars, co-curriculars, extra-curriculars
until there wasn't a minute left.
over 10,000 moments
of classes
and clubs
and meetings
and service
and projects
and lessons
and work
and...
and...

and...exhausted.
body aching
soul depleted
exhausted.

all so i could get a job.

and get a job, i did.
three, in fact.

one to pay for a roof over my head
one to pay for food on my table
and one to pay for the transportation to get to the other two

who has time to dream
when you're working 95 hours a week?

daddy told me long ago
that if i work hard enough
strive long enough
believe firmly enough
that i could do anything.

exhausted.
body aching
soul depleted
exhausted.

is this the american dream?