Education is Wasted ...

"They" say that education
is wasted on the young.

What I wouldn't give now
in my middle years
to be back in school again
now that I'm older
         and wiser?
more motivated to learn
because I finally understand
that there are so many things
I don't know
things that I really want to know now.

What I wouldn't give now
in my middle years
to go back and study history
really study history
now that I understand
how it relates
to who we are now
and who we will become.

What I wouldn't give now
in my middle years
to go back and study art
and poetry and ballroom dancing
now that I understand
that beauty is subjective
and talent is expressed
and experienced
in a variety of ways.

What I wouldn't give now
in my middle years
to go back and read the classics
immerse myself in them
and read them for what they are
now that I understand better
from where they came.

I really couldn't appreciate it
for what it was
when I was younger.
I thought I knew everything
and no one
could teach me anything.
So I went to college
and found out
just what I needed to do
to get my good grades
with the least amount of work -
and after four years
I left that place
with the degree I was told
was so important
and not much else -
except for a few saving graces.

"They" say that education
is wasted on the young.