Wasted Education Poem by Jon Edward Walker

I listen to a drama major
say she doesn't know any
playwrights
I ask about Sophocles and
Shakespeare
she talks about her friend's
play in high school
and how great it was.
How he wanted her to be
the “dark girl”
she’s trying to be tough
as she sits on the left side
of my loveseat
looking fifteen
she’s not been in
any theatrical event
since high school

we go outside and smoke
I touch my ear and notice
it’s bleeding