intellectual iniquity

F*ck the education of the younger generation, right?
Because grades are getting lower and expectations are getting higher
We're not allowed to ask why or how we're meant to pass our classes
Passing out in bed after a long day, textbooks in the way of our closing eyelids
Sleep
Precious sleep that we can never achieve because wealth is more valued than health
To hell with your Zs when all you need are As to get through this life
To get a wife and a house and a kid and a car and a job and a dog
and
so what?

For what?

Divorce
Joint custody
Eviction
Repossession
Regression

Depression
If mental health was treated like abortion at least we'd talk about it more than the hushed voices and whispers of lives lost too early, of children turned surly, of thoughts turning sour in the darkest hour of our minds

Be kind
It's as simple as that

Tell each other 'you're doing your best, and that's all anyone could expect'

The insouciants who brush it off as insignificant issues with insufficient proof
Have found the loop hole to caring
There is no smoking gun, therefore
There is no issue with the young or
Maybe you're not paying close enough attention
To this pernicious descent to denial and convention

It is a pestilence
A killer in silence
Bedeviling our youth while the parents are sleeping
And we
Stay awake
In the never-ending battle against ourselves
A sort of mental hell
Ringing loud like a bell
That doesn't toll the end of class, but rather holds us steadfast
Frozen
Paralyzed
Siphoning life before our very eyes

And our eyes
focused on 'the prize'