College Essay

Two days before the deadline. Fingers flying frantically, Condensing a lifetime’s achievement In 500 words or less. Eyes are bloodshot from the long night, spent Staring and scanning every line, every blip With the careful precision of a surgeon. Secretly beautifying my faults Like an embalmer, decorating wounds, To make even a dead body presentable. All to impress anonymous judges Who are endowed with the authority To confirm my life’s worth. Judges who grade lives— Out of a pool of million— Superficial enough to be condensed In 500 words or less.