I awake sweating profusely
in the middle of the night,
My heart is beating wildly
I’ve had a horrible fright.
***
You may reflect and wonder
what could cause such anguish,
When my mind really should
in a peaceful place languish.
***
I dreamed I had an exam to write
my preparations for it
had been quite light,
I really felt I was not ready
and would not be able
to keep my mind and hand steady.
***
My full scholarship
I would clearly lose,
If by failing, my professors
belief in me I abuse.
***
I sit up in my bed
eyes wide with shock,
My mind gradually clears
and I can take stock.
***
My exams were all over
a number of years ago,
Realization of this dawns
Although its coming is slow.
***
My days of endless study
are long since over,
I lie back down in my bed
and gradually regain my composure.
***
by Robbie Cheadle
Maybe there’s a personal test before you and it manifests into an exam test.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jacqui. My son is writing exams and it has brought back my own exam stress memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isnt that interesting our childhood stress reappearing like thay..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is strange how things sit in your mind for years.
LikeLike
Oh my! Robbie I hated exams Too!!!! I feel you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can’t believe I still have nightmares about them though!
LikeLike
They get me into a panic too xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great poem, Robbie! I fully agree, and every other test brings me back to this time. Have a nice weekend. 😉 Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael. It is true that the memory of this stress seems to pop up every now and then. Happy Saturday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie for your wonderful postings and very nice food art. Have a good weekend too. 😉 Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for being late to the party Robbie. Got an absolutely awful cold and we did have an actual party to go to . I mean it was killing to go. Seriously it was . Anyway, back in harness. Sort of. Great poem xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry you are sick, Shey. Change of seasons. Hope you recover quickly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. I think I am here in spirit but not in body but maybe it is the other way about. x Thank you Robbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and have a great Saturday.
LikeLike
Great poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bella.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha…this used to happen me the first 5 years after I finished university. Haven’t had those exam dreams since then but this was a good reminder😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Smitha, I haven’t had these dreams for ages but I think my son’s anxiety is getting to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guess I’ll start having it in a few months when the GCSEs start☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennie
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have had dreams like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe exam anxiety is so deep seated we never get rid of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You captured those run away train anxieties that wake us up in the week small hours exactly Robbie- though I have to admit mine were more often than not about work rather than exams! I wasn’t great at exams – I just cared a whole lot less in those days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funnily, I never worry about work, Paul. I worry that I suddenly find out I still need a credit for my post grad degree and don’t have time to study.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy moley… I would go through things like this, but related to performances in theatre or when I was in the band. Glad to say, those dreams have faded…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know you were in a band, Annette. How interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
from 1996 – 2004 – I decided that I wanted to see if I could cut it… I left when I realized that it wasn’t what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am intrigued by repetitive dreams about school like this one. Mine is never being able to open my locker and then being late to class(a fate worse than death in my high school!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose these anxieties are deep in our minds, Elizabeth, and pop out occasionally when they are stimulated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Applesauce! That sounds familiar.
Even after college I (now and then) would have a dream that I suddenly remembered being enrolled in a course… well I would be in several, but this one I had forgotten. I may have attended one or two classes, but many weeks into the term, I would suddenly remember it, panic that I had not been or done any work, then I couldn’t find where the class was held (or I’d just get lost trying to get there).
LOL. Huge hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am always glad to hear that other people have similar experiences and worries, Teagan. I hope you are finding time to write this weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem, Robbie – I had similar experiences as a teacher – just worrying about the piles of papers I had to mark! I hated marking with a passion!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. I don’t think I would like marking either, John.
LikeLike
I so want to study a few more subjects but cannot cope with the thought of writing exams again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never minded exams at the time, Tandy. It is only after I had finished that I had these dreams. Weird really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve definitely captured the exam anxieties there, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Norah.
LikeLike
A great poem Robbie. I am so thankful exams are a thing of the past. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Brigid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a bad dream Robbie, a haunting reminder 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Debby, you are right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I am so pleased you liked this poem, Traci.
LikeLike
I’ve been out of the restaurant business for 17 years and still have bad dreams about not being able to give good service. I feel your angst.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be terrible in the restaurant business, Susan. I was a very bad waitress in my day.
LikeLike