Composed Upon Seat E11, May 23, 2013

[milo]

A less than serious view after completing a pretty awful poetry exam today. My rhythm is more than terrible, I'd appreciate a bit of help fixing it up :-)

Although we were told not to write on the desks,
perhaps this outcry would give you some jest.
It's 1:15 - we're ten minutes in,
the frantic writing will soon begin
But while candidates sit, and write, and complain
how will I ever love poetry again?

When put under watch and expected to write,
I don't know how someone could take delight
in the heartfelt ramblings of Rossetti and Clarke,
when all that concerns is a few extra marks.

The meanings are lost in the marking scheme -
Romeo, where art thou? (Exam paper three)
Scott would be rolling in his grave if he knew
of students striving for an 'alternative view'.

If my ignorant friends were as cultured as me,
perhaps they'd take notice - and finally see
while spotting out similes, the metaphors too
the integrity of writers has gone down the loo.

As for the rhythm (meter) there are a few things I could help with, but I am not sure which route you would prefer.

Do you want it diagrammed so you can fix it?
Would you like someone to offer suggestions that would make it perfect meter?
Would you like it "padded" to perfect meter so you can just replace the syllables with words of your own?