Gifted collegiate

 I sat with the students
each one more beautiful than I
They talked of these miraculous equations
Each student much smarter than me

seeing the way through
understanding the mysteries
while I just struggle to grasp
the simplest notions

Their fine features mesmerized me
Their flair and restraint
Their correct measures
I just keep spilling

getting the number wrong
failing the exercise
with no feedback on my error
They chalked it up to who I am

Then On my walk along the lost highway
the abandoned one
I saw my flaws in a big gift basket
I counted each and thanked god

I tried to ignore my dismay
and remember the way
back to my father's old factory
there the broom my only friend

For as their truck of school supplies past me
It squeeked and wheezed awkwardly
with the high quality arrogance
that weighted it down to the rubber