Haven’t been sleeping.
 

A poem to be read when contemplating whether to push them hard and have them miss the joy of childhood?
Or to let them do as they will, allowing them to trade in their youth for their future?
 
I haven’t been sleeping.  Got an exam coming up. 
Studying like crazy ‘cause this one actually counts.
Not mine. His. My wonderful son.
All the rest didn’t but this one does and will stay on his transcript … with him, like a tattoo.  
I want, will and wish the answers into him, but today’s the day and once it’s done it’s done.
I tell myself: “If he does well he deserves it”
and
“If he fails he’ll learn from it”. 
Why is my stomach aching? 

He’s the one sitting in the cafeteria in perfect rows adding up to 299 other students with only his collection of well-sharpened (please let them still be well sharpened) pencils and study eraser for company.
 
He’s the one that will turn the paper over and read all the questions through, then take extra time to read the directions twice to make sure he performs the right task. (Oh please let him remember to read directions twice even thrice).   

He’s the one with the hieroglyphics jumbled in his memory.

And the ones that bring complete darkness. 
But I’m the one not sleeping.  
Should I get him up early to go over that last chapter one more time?
or let him get extra sleep so his brain is rested and supple for the challenge ahead?
Feed protein or carbs for breakfast? 
I knew I should have played more Mozart when he was a baby.