The Students (Mark Halliday)

Again, The Students by Mark Halliday

I don't like it as much as I did yesterday, but I do still think this poem is a apt reflection of college life. It describes well the sense of importance ('I'm learning important things, here!') as it mires in the passage of time spent doing mindless things (walking to the cafeteria, watching news).

The circles (or the concept of) that are mentioned at the end of the poem have to do with students, learning and life. The poem begins with a life's summary - "The students eat something and then watch the news, / a little, then go to sleep." and ends with a memory and some vague things that they have learned (the concept of circles and a famous artist).

I guess this poem is trying to push you to live more purposefully. Don't be a student forever. Don't just sustain, learn a little then die ("The students eat something and then watch the news, / a little, then go to sleep.").

Favorite line: "Noticing themselves at the sink"