Beyond the Ivory Tower

Soft ivory pages, crisp and new. Insulated from the world's harsh truths, Snuggled in the comfort of rote learning, it waits. Protected from challenging ideas, Camouflaged as a bastion of knowledge, Ignoring sounds of a changing world outside. Each lesson absorbed, concepts released, The slightest spark of curiosity dimmed, Minds anchored to standardised forms. Slow to evolve, the system creaks. Returning to the safety of metrics, Covered in a shroud of false contentment. Coal-dark ink scans the ledger, Nourished by the currency of test scores, Effortless, true learning slips into the abyss. A place where wisdom once flourished, Embraced by the essence of inquiry, Now mechanical, measured, misguided. We too must remember, The embrace of knowledge's true essence, Living beyond the melting ivory tower.