You Are Not Your Grades

Issue 9, Semester 2, 2019

THEA WALTON

You are 
a crisp splash in the pool on a summer's day, 
sighing, sliding into freshly-washed bed sheets, 
a cold toilet seat on your soft, warm bum. 
You are not your grades. 

You are 
screaming Mr Brightside at the top of your lungs, 
laughing so hard you can't breathe, 
the moment you realise your new friends are now your good friends. 
You are not your grades. 

Image: Amanda Kelso https://flic.kr/p/mWdqB

You are 
the first time "v" became "and", 
using Prima Facie in normal conversation, 
forgetting how to spell judg(e)ment 
You are not your grades. 

You are 
the skip of your heart when your crush texts, 
smiling at your lover from across a crowded room
a soft, gentle kiss on your neck. 
You are not your grades. 

You are 
the hole drilled in your chest when a loved one dies
and the memories you use to patch it, 
every time your parents say 'I love you'
and the first time you really hear it. 
You are not your grades. 

You are 
every moment,
every feeling, 
every breath.

You are not your grades. 

You are
so much more. 

​Thea is a First Year JD Student.