Book Art Sculpture

Artist Statement // MELONDY: Issues of Adolescence

Two versions of the character "Melondy" From Melondy: Issues of Adolescences Series

Two versions of the character "Melondy"
From Melondy: Issues of Adolescences Series

MELONDY :: Issues of Adolescence

A mixed media series by Jacqueline Baerwald

Paint to Stimulate Thought

“You can read her like a book,” or can you? 

My Melondy: Issues of Adolescence sculptures pose a series of unasked questions and unanswered issues often experienced in the lives of teenage girls.

The paintings, image and text, elicit pondering, reflection, and consideration of these issues whether personally experienced or observed. 

Through this series of work I, as the artist, aspire to break myself and the viewer out of the all too pervasively entrenched bystander apathy, to awaken compassion, to be mindful of the deeper (tragically often darker) realities of fragile humans around us, and to make a difference.

Create to Connect Compassion with Conviction

Fabricated entirely from thrifted, found, or donated books and a bit of paint, the Melondy series is a compendium of high school hurdles, hiccups, and heartbreaks. 

Every aspect of each sculpture was carefully selected. 

Each book was specifically chosen for its title and meticulously stacked with its counterparts to create a thought-provoking found poem. 

The whimsically painted character, “Melondy,” stands in for the average teenage girl imprisoned by insecurities, frustrations, and fears - her own, or those inflicted on her. 

Her name was derived from the word melancholy, and her striped wardrobe is reminiscent of a prisoner’s garments. 

Titles for each piece were chosen that play off childhood nursery rhymes or playground sayings, eliciting the innocence (or absence thereof) days gone by. 

Each book stack reveals a story behind the teenage (often unconscious or unspoken) plea for meaning, maturity, and love.

 

A Poetic Commentary: What Little Girls Are Made Of

What Little Girls Are Made Of Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

What Little Girls Are Made Of
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

What Little Girls Are Made Of

    sugar and spice, everything nice?

    hmm, what’s your price?

WE’VE GOT IT MADE IN AMERICA 

    not just far far on the other side of the
       ocean blue

    yup, but we’ve made it here in the U-S-of-
       A, too

CATASTROPHE

    that says it in a word

    but the statistics are often quite blurred

PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER

    run-aways, throw-aways, other exploitables, too

    bystanders ignorantly apathetic of what they’re going through

DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN 

    slick predators lurk in broad daylight

    exquisitely enticing by fraud, force, or fright

LOOK BETTER NAKED 

    I know you can do it, my pretty girlfriend

    you’ll make me so happy (and a fortune), in the end

A Woman’s Worth

    whatcha got from last night?

    baby, don’t make me beat you again, alright?!

I Don’t Know How She Does It 

    but she’s his bottom line

    ya, she keeps the rest of us towing the line!

DON’T MAKE A SCENE 

    just do what you’re told

    otherwise his love he might withhold

GUILT | ONLY LOVE | FIVE PAST MIDNIGHT | THREE WISHES 

    it’s the same night after night, day after day

    try to stay alive, but for sale or display

HOMESICK 

    do I even have a home to be sick for?

    or is that in part why they now call me a whore?

TWILIGHT CHILD

    living in the shadows

    don’t look like a victim, they suppose

RUNNING BLIND | DREAM COUNTRY | SHATTERED | A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT 

    nowhere to run, nowhere to hide

    nowhere to turn, cuz even I’m deceived inside

I’ll Be Seeing You | Remember Me | Let Me Call You Sweet Heart 

    you look pretty young to be out here like this

    come with me and I’ll give you a better life miss

STREET TRENDS 

    the idea of leaving, of believing, of reassuring, oh so alluring

    but pimp’s mom’s watching my baby, my returning ever insuring

HELL’S CARTEL

    they’ve got their hands in everything

    and I’m strung out, part of their ring

LITTLE ALTARS EVERYWHERE 

    on a corner here, a hotel room there

    now a website, and another to compare

YOU BELONG TO ME | AMERICAN DREAMS | TOXIN | FIREBIRD 

    keep living “the life”

    keep putting up with this strife

TIME EXPIRED 

    but how long can this go on?

    they say the average is six years, then gone

SUICIDE SEASON

    not sure this is a life worth living

    don’t know how much longer I can keep on giving

THE LIES THAT BIND

    these cords around my neck

    are they any worse than the ones that keep my mind “in check”?

A Tangled Web 

    it’s just all so confusing

    who to believe, who’s abusing?

PEACE LIKE A RIVER | “P” IS FOR PERIL | SUMMER ISLAND | THE INCUMBENT 

    perhaps I’ll fall asleep and never wake

    finally at peace from this perpetual heartbreak

NEVER LOVE A STRANGER 

    never love again

    never trust men

The Wanting 

    but something cries deep down inside me

    something screaming I just want to be free

FAMILY POLITICS

    ya just like politics and religion

    sex and money aren’t to be spoken of, but in a hushed smidgen

Keep It Simple, Stupid 

    just do what your told

    don’t ask questions, stay controlled

The Accidental Bride 

    accidental or on purpose?

    are you just feeding me lip service?

Love & Desire & Hate 

    don’t know what to think anymore

    don’t even have feeling left to ignore

THAT DEVIL’S NO FRIEND OF MINE 

    but I guess this one thing I do know

    so long I’ve lived in the stupor of status quo

RAGING HEART 

    at least this anger proves I can feel again

    but you want me to forgive what and when?!

THE RESCUE | CODE TO ZERO | MY MOTHER’S DAUGHTER | EVEN STEVEN 

    how ‘bout I actually get stable first

    cuz literally everything in my life, in my head, is turned upside-down, reversed

WHEN GOD WHISPERS YOUR NAME 

    then you know there’s hope

    gives me something I need this day to cope

Breaking Through

    a new dawning

    found I have true belonging

Peace, Love & Healing

    one day at a time

    will take a while to thoroughly heal from this crime

The Meaning of Life 

    oh, so much more than I was told

    I can be my own person, live bold!

CHANGE

    in a direction I couldn’t even then imagine

    still living on earth, but it’s actually now heaven

CLOSE TO YOU 

    freedom, new life, here and now

    will you let Me show you how?

 

A Poetic Commentary: Once Upon A Time

Once Upon A Time Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Once Upon A Time
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Once Upon A Time

    a long long time ago

    in a place I used to know

Harvest of Yesterdays

    is this reaping what was sown?

    finally paying off the loan?

HOW TO GET WELL

    I want to be well, I want to be well

    I want to be well, I just want to yell!

SILENT NO MORE 

    can’t keep this bottled up

    can’t keep covering up

TELL ME MORE

    will you listen, really listen?

    cuz it’s compassion I’m really missin’

DARE TO DREAM

    let it flow

    feel the glow

Girls Forever Brave and True 

    I can be one

    Yes, I am one

MEMORIES

    painful stabs, repeating past

    oh, how long will it last?

Yesterday, I Cried 

    they say it’s okay

    good to let it out each day

PROMISES

    this too shall pass

    and I will be healed at last!

WHAT REMAINS 

    put the pieces back together

    feel in the process, feel better

Never Forget

    my whole is greater than the sum of my brokenness

    faith, hope, and love bring me wholesomeness

FALL & RISE 

    no matter how hard and far I fell

    it is never too hard or far to get well

A Poetic Commentary: Rain Rain, Go Away

Rain Rain, Go Away Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Rain Rain, Go Away
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Rain Rain, Go Away

    can’t you see I’m sad today

    why also make the sky so gray?

The Girl with No Shadow 

    no one notices

    no condolences

A PATH THROUGH SUFFERING

    paved alone

    it’s all I’ve known

Find Me

    in the crisis

    just wanna be priceless

SEARCH THE SHADOWS 

    never give up

    you’ll find me among the other screw-ups

IT TAKES a FAMILY 

    so start acting like one!

    otherwise the dark side has won

Stop the Insanity! 

    these shadows are choking me

    just want you, me, all of us, to be free

caught in the act

    swear I was naive

    please, I was deceived!

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

    deliverance came!

    such brilliant light cleansed my shame

SLAYING THE DRAGON

    I stand alone no longer

    Here stronger conquer the monster

CARE OF THE SOUL

    mind no longer enshroud

    more than possible, all power endowed

The Law of Love 

    a fresh perspective

    a life now actually effective

STANDING FIRM

    standing my ground

    beyond the shadow, I am found!

 

A Poetic Commentary: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

    skies are blue

    and the dreams that I dream,
      really do come true?

HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM YOUR HOUSE

    oh tell me please

    please show me the keys

LAUGH AGAIN 

    oh the thought of joy

    this negativity to destroy

FROM ASHES TO GLORY 

    wounds heal, be not gory

    oh when will start this brand new story?

A WHOLE NEW LIFE 

    a whole new joy, here and now

    a whole new perspective, wow!

FORGIVING

    a good place to start

    set free from bitterness my dear heart!

Failure is Not an Option 

    after all, I’m not in this alone

    I’m with Someone, by Whom, I am deeply known

MIRACLES

    they happen big and small

    if you believe and follow the call

MAKE IT HAPPEN

    take the first step

    follow the light, in His footsteps

A Poetic Commentary: Ring Around The Roses

Ring Around The Roses Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Ring Around The Roses
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Ring Around The Roses

    pocket full of supposes

    the diagnosis just under our noses

Beyond Tomorrow

    gotta keep believing it’s possible

    this life will not end horrible

HOW TO PREVENT AND GAIN REMISSION FROM CANCER

    can’t tell you now

    but I know it’s possible somehow

FLU

    initially felt ordinary, common enough

    but fighting this one’s became something quite tough

NUTRITION AGAINST DISEASE

    an apple a day keeps the doctor away

    so they say, but will I be okay?

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COMMON DISEASES 

    gotta learn what I can

    gotta find answers, gotta have a plan

CANCER FACTS & FALLACIES

    what’s false and what’s true?

    is this stat or study askew?

TODAY IS MINE

    no matter what I will breakthrough

    to a real cure I pursue

THE HEALTH BUILDER 

    the sun rises and shines in my room

    and like the flowers I will rise and bloom

A Poetic Commentary: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

    pray the Lord my soul to keep

    and if I die while counting sheep…

If... 

    not even the question anymore

    when, that’s a better word to explore

Drive Me Crazy

    can’t take it anymore

    what’s this life worth living for?

NOT A DAY GOES BY

    that I don’t consider it

    do I have the nerve to commit?

AT RISK

    they say I’m in despair

    but what do they care?

DEAD CONNECTION

    make the connection

    just need some affection

LOVE’S EXECUTIONER

    wrote the note, how I loved you

    just wish you felt the same too

BLESSED TRAGEDY 

    to be put out of this misery

    sorry if this causes injury

NATURE’S END

    screaming, I came into this world

    crying, sighing, I leave it unfurled

 

A Poetic Commentary: Cross My Heart

Cross My Heart Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Cross My Heart
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Cross My Heart

    hope we don’t die

    please don’t leave me high and dry

The Fireside book of FISHING

    I’m strung out on this hook

    your candied bait I’ve took

IN THE FAST LANE

    I know, it’s a need for speed

    but why am I always the one to bleed?

YOUR BODY & how
it works

    I’m swimmin’ upstream doing your thing

    am I really just some plaything?

THE PREDATORS

    when will the leeches layoff?

    can’t you see I’m coming down with this cough?

“WE”

    I’ll do anything for your need

    but your love reeks more of greed

WITHOUT ME YOU’RE NOTHING

    yes, enmeshed in you

    but you said we were like glue

A Poetic Commentary: Birds Of A Feather

Birds Of A Feather Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Birds Of A Feather
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Birds Of A Feather

    they flock together

    friends in fair weather

The Divas

    their tight-knit clique

    comes unraveled at the slightest nitpick

MADE IN HOLLYWOOD

    they think they’re shining stars

    they’re the bane of this school of ours!

SET HER ON A THRONE

    they quibble who’s the fairest

    gossipy twits, they should be embarrassed

THE MIND OF THE CAT 

    but who am I to blame

    after all, I’d share in their fame

Experiential Psychotherapy: BASIC PRACTICES 

    these games we play

    I just wanna be accepted, okay?!

THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL

    playing to my own tune

    guess I don’t fit in with those buffoons

Care of MIND/Care of SPIRIT

    but it haunts me so

    more then you’ll ever know

MORE THAN MOODY 

    what else am I supposed to think?

    without them, I’ll never be in sync!

 

A Poetic Commentary: Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Scratched My Leg

Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Scratched My Leg Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Scratched My Leg
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Scratched My Leg

    and you didn’t ask anymore questions

    no need to make anymore confessions

A TEAR AND A SMILE 

    shed a tear, slash a tear

    smile in relief of this nightmare

BLEEDING HEART

    cut my arm to stop the pain

    and you think I’m just insane

BEYOND THIS POINT ARE MONSTERS

    no, not hiding under my bed

    no, they abide inside my head

BLOOD WORK 

    numb, so numb, here I kneel

    carve out my pain, just want to feel

ASYLUM FOR THE QUEEN 

    nowhere is safe, you don’t understand

    it is my blood they demand

THE DETLING SECRET

    that I could never tell

    you can’t comprehend my hell

KILLER'S LAUGHTER

    they're never quiet

    but live in a perpetual riot

Helping Someone with Mental Illness

    helping? you think you’re helping?

    no, it’s just too overwhelming

STOLEN LIVES 

    stolen? is it worth getting back?

    I’ll just suffer another anxiety attack

 

A Poetic Commentary: I See London, I See France

I See London, I See France Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

I See London, I See France
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

I See London, I See France

    never thought they’d see my underpants

    never thought I’d risk that chance

SPIKED

    twas innocent enough, meet up with him
       after class

    never thought to think about what was in
       that glass

THE MARK-OFF WOMEN 

    never thought I’d just be another tick on
       his list

    never thought I was special enough to
       be kissed

SEDUCTION by DESIGN 

    looking back, ya, he knew just what to say

    never thought sweet-talking could lead my heart astray

Virgin and Martyr

    I was one, now I’m considered the other

    never thought I could ever tell my mother

YOUR BODY & how it works

    apparently I needed an education

    never thought I’d “learn” via mortification

All He Ever Wanted

    never thought that was what he wanted

    never thought I’d live feeling haunted

 

A Poetic Commentary: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Mary Mary, Quite Contrary 

    how does my stardom grow?

    with secret cartels and outright rebels,
      I should know

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE 

    counting my blessings one bottle at a time

    living it up on top of all this crime

It’s All in the Playing

    playing the game

    win one, lose one; it’s all the same

YOU CAN RELIEVE PAIN

    cuz that’s all we want

    and you think it’s just defiance we flaunt

Loot

    we’ll take what’s not given

    cuz to really love us, you’re too chicken

Midnight Suppers

    call it an addiction, call it an affliction

    gotta do something to make through this transition

THE WOUNDS OF HUNGER

    starving for love

    just want attention from the ones I think the world of

THE PARTY OF DEATH 

    it’s all fun and games until…

    ya, well, that’s just run-of-the-mill

Remains: Non-Viewable 

    you’d think they’d want to make an example of it

    but no, turn a blind eye, it’s too much to admit

PRESUMED INNOCENT

    coercion puts on a pretty smile

    tis why I’ve been here for such a long while

A Poetic Commentary: Rock A Bye, Bye Baby

Rock A Bye, Bye Baby Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Rock A Bye, Bye Baby
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Rock A Bye, Bye Baby

    climb out my window by the treetop

    where the wind blows my feet follow nonstop

PANIC

    when the news breaks, 9-1-1 they will call

    but I’ll be long gone, once and for all

Runaway

    just can’t take it anymore

    no matter what I say, they’d just ignore

If You Had Controlling Parents

    you’d understand

    and give me a hand

DONE WRONG

    that’s right they did

    and they blame me, I’m just the kid!

The Opposite of Love

    I could give you a laundry list

    but for now, I think you get the gist

FIASCO

    that’s what it was alright

    but no one wants to listen to my plight

THE SILENT CRADLE

    it’s been that way for a long long time

    finally said enough of this grime!

THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST 

    but is this much better?

    perhaps I should of packed a sweater

A COLOSSAL FAILURE OF COMMON SENSE 

    accomplished Plan A: disappear

    but where do I go from here?

Dr Strangelove’s Game

    at least there’s someone in this world that cares

    even gave me a place to stay in his downstairs

THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS

    but it’s not all together for him either

    he needs my help so he can catch a breather

On Beauty

    he’s given me so much and nicknamed me Beautiful

    not helping him out would be inexcusable

LIES (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them) 

    who to believe? no one to trust

    guess I’ll just have to adjust

NO SAFE PLACE

    no, not anywhere

    just want to wake up from this nightmare

BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS 

    walking these streets, but not alone

    walking these streets, trailing testosterone

 

A Poetic Commentary: You Are My Sunshine?

You Are My Sunshine? Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

You Are My Sunshine?
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

You Are My Sunshine?

    really, my the only sunshine?

    thought you’d make me happy when skies
       are gray

OUT OF NOWHERE

    you rained on my party

    drug my heart through the mud, never
       said sorry

VIRTUALLY NORMAL

    I thought we were tight

    guess vision is 20/20 in hindsight

WHERE YOU BELONG

    I wanted to be with you

    like all the cool kids do

A Matter of Opinion

    but your mood changes like the weather

    and birds of a feather flock together

MEAN STREAK

    you told me I would never fly that high

    and with that you left, without saying goodbye

NOW OR NEVER

    guess I have to decide

    betray myself or be disqualified

COLD SHOULDER

    even colder in this gray

    much to my dismay

A Poetic Commentary: Tick Tock Goes The Clock

Tick Tock Goes The Clock Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Tick Tock Goes The Clock
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Tick Tock Goes The Clock 

    and it never wants to stop

    even if I drop…

THE PURCHASE PRICE

    one I know I have to pay

    but is it worth everything they say?

THE TIME TRAP

    this cage that drowns me beneath the never-ending waves

    who is the master and who are the slaves?

Overboard

    this ship’s capsized over me

    it’s no whale of a time in this sea

A Letter for Daria

    another message in a bottle?

    but I’m still caught in this current, full throttle

How could you do that?! 

    take time from work

    they’d call you a shirk!

Happiness Sold Separately

    gotta read the fine print

    the way I’m swimming, apparently I didn’t

never again once more

    it’s high time I come up for some air

    but it’s high tide, and I’ve got so much to do down there

 

A Poetic Commentary: Nobody Loves Me

Nobody Loves Me Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Nobody Loves Me
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Nobody Loves Me  

    everybody hates me

    going to the garden to flee

HOW DO YOU FEEL? 

    why do you care?

    you’re just gonna tell me “life’s not fair”

COLD TIMES

    in the middle of summer

    but the school year’s not much better to recover

THE BLUE VALLEYS

    I walk them alone

    they say to depression I’m prone

NOW YOU KNOW

    but what do you care?

    after all, you really don’t have any real time to spare

CATCH ME WHEN I FALL

    if only there were someone there after all

    someone to hug this porcupine ball

Stop the Insanity!

    cuz I sure can’t!

    I’m drowning in this pitcher plant

JUST DON’T TELL ‘EM WHERE I AM

    hooked up to this temperamental recovery program

    cooped up like a freshwater clam

SYMPTOMS of WITHDRAWAL

    they say it’s supposed to help me

    but I still feel like a nobody

 

A Poetic Commentary: Billy & Mary, Sitting In A Tree

Billy & Mary, Sitting In A Tree Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Billy & Mary, Sitting In A Tree
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Billy & Mary, Sitting in a Tree

    k - i - s - s - i - n - g

    is love or lust the key?

Surrender! The Romance of a Woman’s Soul

    what does it matter anyway

    this feeling simply takes my breath away!

A Bride on the AMAZON

    that was unexpected for sure

    why all of the sudden do I feel so impure?

THE LONG LOVE

    perhaps this one will last

    cuz the last three weren’t up to the task

INSIDE MY HEART

    there’s such a deep longing

    where’s that sense of belonging?

WILLIAM and MARY

    next week will it be Billy and Carrie?

    am I really that temporary?

and Healthy Hearts

    ya, they’ll break just like sore ones do

    guess I’m just lovesick, tried and true

Last summer

    was such a dream

    wish now I’d wake from this nightmare scream

the Tender Time

    a time to be loved

    isn’t that what we all want? a beloved?

Death of a Gentle Lady

    but someone turned the love tree into a playground

    and I’m still in the middle of this let- melt- break- shut- down

 

A Poetic Commentary: Give Them Wings

Give Them Wings Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Give Them Wings
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Give Them Wings

    “and they will fly”

    ya, and they wonder why

the road to Happiness

    certainly not the one they put me on

    and they wonder why I don’t respond!

BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD

    we don’t see it the same

    and they say I’m the one to blame!

When the Wood is Green

    they’re tried to bend me at their whim

    despite my opinions, much to my chagrin

HER MOTHER’S DAUGHTER

    and she wonders why I got naughtier

    if she’s not careful she’ll be convicted of manslaughter

THE WORLD I KNOW

    the one I don’t want

    the grass has to be greener away from this haunt

POWER IDEAS for A HAPPY FAMILY

    ha! can power and happiness coexist?

    if so, there’s something I’ve definitely missed

I’m OK, You’re My Parents

    so keep your distance

    I’ll let you know if and when I need assistance

A Poetic Commentary: Lions & Tigers & . . .

Lions & Tigers & . . .  Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Lions & Tigers & . . .
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

Lions & Tigers & ... 

    terrors! oh my

    all these big decisions just make me want
        to cry

ONE MUST WAIT

    “what do you want to be when you
         grow up?”

    (certainly not what you are, grown-up!)

Easier Said Than Done

    making your choice for a lifetime

    all this pressure when I’m supposed to be
         “in my prime”

Which Way From Here

    my eyes are crossed with tears

    who’s supposed to help me overcome these fears?

100 ways to Simplify your Life

    oh yes, these self-help analytical lists always tout

    they’ve got their place, but what about my freedom to move about?

The Way of the Wind

    I just want to be free

    free to be me

FIRST THINGS FIRST

    gotta calm down and think straight

    got my whole life ahead of me and it’s supposed to be great

PRAYERS

    there’s gotta be an answer

    God, if you’re listening, can I grow up to be a dancer?

THE ROAD TAKEN

    gotta move your feet somewhere

    hope this direction is an answer to my prayer

THE DREAM SEEKERS

    are my dreams bigger than my fears?

    hopefully I’ll find out while I’m still wet behind the ears

A Poetic Commentary: All That Glitters . . .

All That Glitters . . . Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

All That Glitters . . .
Melondy: Issues of Adolescence Series

All That Glitters . . .

    isn’t gold

    despite what I’ve been told

ENGLISH IN ACTION

    journals, reports, term papers - writing
       my way

    to the top. . . except for that last essay

SMART WOMEN

    that’s what I’m supposed to be

    but be it a standard so high, I’m only
       a wannabe

CONTROLLED CHEATING

    but it’s only for the grade

    what does learning matter, when it’s the GPA that’s weighed?

HOW TO STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING

    perhaps I shouldn’t be so uptight

    but even the idea of failure gives me such a fright!

Organizing from the Inside Out

    easier said than done

    where would I even start while on the run?

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

    thought the rat race didn’t start till after I graduated

    guess that golden idea is now antiquated

TO BE THE BEST

    oh, if only it were true

    but even being summa cum laude leaves me feeling blue