We stand,

As people surround the innocent and as a collective,

use vernacular experience and veteran status to dull a shine

that like Christmas lights, when one piece of the whole is broken

the rest fails to work.

Yet,

We continue to sit in padded chairs unable to pad the blow from others

when we are misunderstood, misrepresented, and mistaken for the unmotivated

workers whose esteem has been ‘shot’ safely on a college campus.

Who,

will extend a hand to students who miss the support once given to them

but instead, is given to those who have lost the passion to be educational patriots.

Unsurprisingly, students will become institutional casualties

forgotten with no remorse and whose eulogy will be spoken in first person

to take blame for retention.

Will,

Someone start the authentic concession to allow institutions to rise

to an occasion that unquestionably values student survival,

and not the foundations livelihood?

And let this reclaimed independence help professionals regain

the strength to shield students from the shattering pieces

cutting stories into their textbooks.

Fix the system and stand triumphant

Speak now,

Or forever hold your peace.
 

> BONUS <

Podcast With Dave Kerpen on Authenticity/ Branding on Social Media