My Degree

As I stumble out of work,
My employer to me, “You have no degree!”
Not true, quite false, that can’t be.
I graduated top in class,
I worked so hard
I busted ass.

I never noticed before
I just kept it in a drawer.
Yes, I did a loan application make
in order to higher education partake.
And yes, I promised to repay.
But no one does that nowaday.

Where are those records?
Where can they be?
I went on line; not there.
I called those who cared.
Not there.

I never noticed before
I just kept it in a drawer.
Yes I did a loan application make
in order to higher education partake.
And yes, I promised to repay.
But no one does that today.

I can’t believe it’s not around.
No record of my degree to be found.
That sheepskin, so hard I worked.
Not fooling around like some jerk.
Where, oh where can it be found?

I never noticed before
I just kept it in a drawer.
Yes, I did a loan application make
in order to higher education partake.
And yes, I promised to repay.
But who does THAT anyway?

I have/had a great job.
A car, a Jill, a house on a hill.
Necessary for my job
called for a degree.
It’s on my Resume,
Just look, just see!
But gone, erased, effaced?
A mistake, I’m going to cry.

I never noticed before
I just kept it in a drawer.
Yes I did a loan application make
in order to higher education partake.
And YES, I DID promise to repay.
What’s it to You, anyway?

Here’s my copy; now I can show
my degree is real and not a hoax.
I can keep my job, my wife, what a relief.
What’s this here, this small print stuff?
Honestly, believe me, I NEVER noticed previous.

(small print herein doth state a note to those who repudiate)
Your degree holds a lien, moneys borrowed,
on Your degree.
If you on your loan, fail to repay,
on Your degree.
It will be revoked, repossessed,
Your degree.
Any job or position requiring documentation,
Your degree.
Records will come up: out to lunch,
Your degree.
“Not at this institution, please re input correct SSN”,
Your degree.
DON”T BE A FOOL pay it or loose it.
Your degree.

Find more by Richard Tornello in the Author Index.

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