Compressed To Standardize In Five Stanzas

I am neither shocked nor amazed these days,
That people give praise to those with college degrees...
With belief they automatically have earned,
A common sense assumed dispensed.
Or become exempt from having none at all.

One would think a requirement would be,
An ability to listen and comprehend...
With a process to 'think' easy to begin,
Without being prompted, but...
A wisdom received is not from a classroom given.

Often the ones ignored to have intelligence,
Are those assessed by how they visually dress to impress.
Or where their mail is addressed.
Or what is seen parked outside they have keys available,
Nearby or in their pockets to unlock, hop in and drive.

When many who achieve 'material' success are not degreed.
Nor are some who are successful believe enthusiastically,
What they have accomplished is material possessed.
Or merits the getting of attention to mention that's confessed.
Since what it is they've done they could not teach to anyone,
If compressed to standardize in five stanzas delivered in 21 lines.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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